Prospect of interacting with customers again pleases owners of Winnipeg restaurants, spa

The dining room of the French Way Caf and Bakery in Corydontypically has 15 tables that allow up to 48 people to sit and savour the baked goods they just purchased.

But right now, aside from the display cases and check-out counter, theroom is empty.

"In a way, it has worked out well, because it has given me the space to keep the bakery open, and people are still coming by for takeout and delivery for food, so there's a place for them to stand and wait and not be clustered together," said owner Larissa Webster.

"But it is still hard because we miss interacting with ourcustomers," she said.

"We have a lot of regulars that come every day, every week; we get to know them and know their lives, and we haven't seen them."

Webster credits her staff for being able to keep the business running during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they helped decide which items would be good for takeout, while continuing to meet demand with fewer people.

Thanks to decreasing COVID-19 cases, Manitoba public health officials announced Wednesday that public gathering sizes could increase startingMay 22. Assuming physical distancing is possible, up to 25 people can gather indoors, while 50 can come together outdoors.

The Manitoba government announced further progressions on Thursday thatwill be part of Phase 2 of the province's economic reopening, as well as other measures.

Among the considerations isallowing restaurants to reopen indoor spaces, and continuing to offerpatio services, at 50 per cent capacity.

Restaurant owners who spoke with CBC News, including Webster, are excited by the announcement, but also need more clear detailsfrom the province.

"With this next phase, I'm very excited for it, I'm very happy that we can start getting people in the seats, in the tables, in a safe way," said Webster.

"But work has to happen first ineducatingstaff in what can we do," and how it affects operations, including whetherstaff is included in the 25-person indoor capacity, and ifthe cafshould continue reusing dishes, she said.

Meanwhile, roughly three blocks away,Lucy Bauhas her own concerns.

Bau ownsG.G. Gelati, a gelato parlouron Corydon Avenue thatopened on May 15after being closed for the better part of two months.

Yetdespite losing roughly 60 per cent of sales, Bau is more concerned with the pace of the reopening, she says.

"I don't want [the province] to rush. I know everybody wants kind of go back to the normal life," shesaid.

Baualso wonders how she'llenforce the capacity rules, even though she says customers are typically respectful ofpublic health orders.

All that said, Bau believesthe further reopening comesat a good time.

"Even this area, this community, the foot traffic is the key thing," she said."If people couldn't stay in the bar or in the restaurant, then that'll be damage to us as well."

Bauhas had to politely shoo away customers who wanted to eat indoors, while others had to check that she was open because they saw chairs stacked on tables, she said.

Although there is a patio at G.G. Gelati,it's small, and Bau said she wasn't comfortable seating people there despite being allowed to during Phase 1.

"I do feel pretty excited about [Phase 2], and it will really bring the business back," she said.

'Make things right'

Swimming pools, fitness andcommunity centresand spas are also being looked at for possible reopening during Phase 2, the province said.

"We actually could have done massages at the beginning of May, but we chose not to because we wanted to really take our time to reconsideroperations, todeconstruct everything and look at everything again, and make things right," saidElena Zinchenko,spa director ofTen Spa in the Hotel Fort Garryon Broadway.

"If it's safe for me, if it's safe for my family, if it's safe for the people that I love, it will be safe for our customers and same for our staff."

Zinchenkosaid many of the things needed to reopen, such as disinfecting protocols, are already in place. It's just a matter of making the procedures stricter.

In terms of customer experience, Zinchenko expects it to be better, because there will be fewer people in the spa, which shouldlead to better relaxation.

Like the restaurant owners, however, there remain many questions.

"There's not a lot of information, and not a lot of people we can go to to ask questions," said Zinchenko, adding that the spa has contacted local MLAs, but has had to resort to the province's COVID-19 webpage.

Zinchenko says not knowing is difficult as a business owner, but she realizes many people are facing similar issues and are learning as the pandemic progresses.

Ecstatic and nervous over the thought of reopening

4 years ago

Duration 2:54

Manitoba is lifting some restrictions on gyms, fitness centres, spas and pools, much to the delight of their operators and clients who promise to follow the protocols.