Restaurants welcomed customers back to their establishments two weeks ago after being shut down for dine-in services since April 8 as part of a province-wide stay-at-home order.
Allan Lafontaine, executive director of the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce, said the demand for restaurant services is high, and takeout and delivery options have been strong as well.
“We have heard that those that have really good curbside pickup and delivery options along with a patio are doing really well,” Lafontaine said.
“A lot of places are still having challenges such as getting staff back, and it’s more important than ever before that our community supports these restaurants so our great chefs remain in our community.”
Despite multiple lockdowns crushing local restaurants financially since last March, Lafontaine said more restaurants are opening instead of closing.
“I drive around our community all the time and I see restaurants and food places opening as opposed to hearing of places closing,” he said.
The chamber is now working on getting the province to move along with its reopening plan quicker than originally planned.
“We are continuing to work with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Minister (Lisa) MacLeod. We are at our vaccination levels, so we should be open. Businesses want to be open, and we support our restaurants and our personal care services who are still suffering,” Lafontaine said.
During the stay-at-home order, Tammies Place was one of the many restaurants in Orillia that revamped its patio in order to be profitable this summer while COVID-19 restrictions remain in effect. The family restaurant has transitioned into a cabana-style bar as part of Step 1, which allows for limited capacity on patios.
“We’ve had a good first two weeks. Most Orillians have been very welcoming, and the support has been overwhelming,” said owner Tammy Grant.
While Tammies Place has been enjoying the first couple of weeks back in business, it has needed some time to get back into the swing of things.
“It’s been a little different than doing takeout. We’ve had to remind a few people that staff has been off for quite a while and we've had a few hiccups to work through in the first week,” Grant said.
Currently, Tammies Place can seat up to 78 people on the patio.
Down Mississaga Street, Fionn MacCool’s has been another popular dining spot during the last couple of weeks.
“It’s really nice having everybody back to work and having our guests back,” said Kaitlyn Slater, general manager. “It’s been really refreshing to see everybody back and everyone is really happy to be back.”
The patio at the Irish-themed pub seats almost 70 people, which helps make the restaurant profitable during Step 1 of the reopening plan.
“We are really lucky to have a large patio, but we are really excited for indoor dining to reopen, and we are excited for Step 2 and 3 so we can host live music in the evenings on weekends,” Slater said.
Hermie’s Diner on West Street South has been able to seat 40 people outside since reopening two weeks ago, which accounts for its indoor capacity.
“Things have picked up. The weekends are busy, and we are doing OK,” said Chris Suckling, who owns the family restaurant with his wife, Hermie Baldado.
Hermie’s Diner hasn’t been a profitable business in months. It didn’t offer takeout or delivery during the stay-at-home order.
Despite being closed for months, Suckling believes his business will survive.
“We will keep this restaurant going until the money runs out,” he said.
His customers are expressing their excitement about being back at the cozy eatery, he said.
“We’ve done a lot of work to our patio. It’s nice and bright with lots of flowers, and our customers are totally amazed by how peaceful and tranquil it is,” he said.
“They can hide on our patio and not think of COVID or anything that’s gone on over the last couple of years.”
