When the province lifted capacity limits on all indoor settings a week ago, the owners of two local businesses looked at the returning crowds of diners and felt a sense of normalcy.
Darcy MacDonell and Simon MacRae, co-owners of the Common Stove and Picnic Snack Bar and Provisions, were seeing a full house, with patrons chatting amongst themselves and with other diners.
“It’s wonderful to see that energy and enthusiasm,” MacDonell said. “They’re so happy to be out, and the mood in the room is exuberant.”
Reservations have been piling up since the lifting of capacity limits, which is good for the bottom line, but “more important than that, it just feels more normal again,” he said.
It’s also good news from a staffing perspective.
“We’re fortunate that we got everybody back,” MacDonell said of the staff who were sidelined as a result of previous lockdowns and restrictions.
The mood is an optimistic one at The Ktchn, too. The Oro-Medonte restaurant at the Braestone Club golf course opened during the pandemic, and this is the first time it can operate at full capacity.
“People are ready. We’ve been fully booked,” said Eliza MacDonald, director of operations with Georgian Hospitality. “We’re able to host more guests and increase our revenue, keep our staff busy.”
The Ktchn was intended to be a restaurant that could also host large groups for parties, but previous restrictions have meant patrons in some of those groups have had to sit at different tables.
MacDonald is excited to see that change.
“Not only did we lose out on Christmas parties, but nobody’s been able to have those gatherings,” she said. “We’re really excited. It kind of feels like normal is coming back.”
Adding to the excitement is the coming golf season. MacDonald is looking forward to seeing customers back inside and on the patio.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how our operation does, what kind of numbers we do,” she said.
