COVID-19 operating restrictions have been hard on the majority, but not all, independent area restaurants.
Rebecca Metcalf, owner of Thistle Manor in Powassan, says safety concerns and a lack of income forced her to close her six-year-old business on May 17.
Metcalf operates Thistle Manor from inside her home, customizing meals for up to 10 people.
“I would have to disinfect my whole house every single time,” she explains.
“There was no alternative. There was no takeout or delivery for us. My husband and I just looked at each other and said ‘Our business is out there, but no one can come in.'”
“We figured the way things were going was not going to be for a very long time. So if we just close that still leaves us the opportunity to relaunch or even rebrand if we want to.”
Shelly Neal closed Calhoun’s Country Cafe in Burk’s Falls from March to May 5, but has since reopened to offer takeout.
And, despite losing an estimated 85 per cent of her revenue and being eager to fully reopen the two-year-old restaurant, Neal hopes the province is responsible when it comes to allowing businesses to reopen.
“Even though we've lost great revenue, I'd like to see the economy open slowly for the protection of people,” she says.
Neal believes the pandemic's restrictions have taught her a greater appreciation of the things many people take for granted.
At 18 months, Susan Chapman, owner of The Fork in Callander, also has only been in business for a short time.
But Chapman says her sales have doubled since the pandemic restrictions were enacted, shes hired four more staff and now operates seven days a week rather than five.
“We ramped up on staff because we couldn't handle the volume anymore,” she says.
Chapman speculates her takeout business increased because other area restaurants closed.
- Mackenzie Casalino, Local Journalism Initiative, Noth Bay Nugget
Local Journalism Initiative reporters are paid by the Government of Canada.
