On Thursday, April 23, Governor Brian Kemp released an executive order detailing safety guidelines for businesses to follow that have the ability to reopen beginning on Friday, April 24 and continuing on Monday, April 27.
Despite the ability for local restaurants to reopen on April 27, a significant number of McDonough restaurants are refusing to do so out of an abundance of caution for their employees and customers.
Pasta Max Cafe owner, Barbara Fitterer-Zitz thinks it is too soon to reopen her business.
“We want to open more than anything. We want to see our customers back in there. But we’re concerned about our staff and our customers as well,” said Fitterer-Zitz. “We’re airing on the side of caution right now.”
Additionally, Fitterer-Zitz says it takes time to reopen a business that has been operating on a takeout basis for many weeks.
“It’s a process on how you open. You can’t just open,” said Fitterer-Zitz. “You have to order food, it takes preparation and time to open.”
Fitterer-Zitz says that they are continuing to monitor the situation and are listening to the guidelines put forth by the CDC and other organizations in preparing for a reopening in the future.
“We are going to give it a couple more weeks and see what happens and we are going to roll out a plan on how to reopen. We’re not really sure what that is yet, but it’s in the works,” said Fitterer-Zitz.
In the meantime, Fitterer-Zitz says that their customers continue to be very supportive of their business.
“We have a lot of steady customers that have been very supportive and very generous. We can’t thank people enough for supporting our takeout and keeping our servers with jobs. We haven’t had to let anybody go,” said Fitterer-Zitz.
Katy Bell, owner of Macon Street Tacos, is another McDonough restaurant owner that declined to reopen for dine-in services on April 27.
“We’re just not ready. I just don’t feel safe,” said Bell. “The safety of our employees has always been first and foremost in our minds.”
Bell states that she is grateful for the option to remain closed and to continue to offer carryout.
“I’m very thankful and appreciative that we have the option,” said Bell. “I have the option to open and save my business or I have the option to continue the business model that I’ve adopted and still try to save my business.”
She is taking this time to have her employees take ServSafe classes from the Department of Health to brush up on the safety measures to be taken when serving customers.
“That’s one of the requirements that we’re having for our employees to be able to come back to work,” said Bell.
During this time, Macon Street Tacos is also seeing a lot of love from old and new customers.
“The outpouring of support from the community has just been outstanding,” said Bell. “I have so many regulars. I also have so many new regulars who come weekly just to support us and not just us, the other local businesses on the Square. They want us to survive.”
Cravings Home Cooking was one of the restaurants that decided to resume dine-in services on April 27.
Pat Beale and her husband Tim Beale, owners of Cravings Home Cooking said they have taken many precautions prior to reopening to ensure that their staff and customers remain safe.
“These are things we were doing before the dining room was shut down. Our silverware is protected with a sealed plastic wrap. Absolutely nothing is on the table,” said Pat. “We are also using disposable cups. Everyone is wearing masks or face shields and gloves. We are taking the temperatures of our staff members everyday before they step in the workplace.”
Some of these measures have been in place at their facility since before restaurants were required to close their doors, to include a mandatory 14-day quarantine for any of their staff following travel or taking part in large gatherings.
When making the decision to reopen, Pat described having “mixed emotions.”
“I was excited when I heard about it. At the same time, I felt not ready,” said Pat. “But, if we wait for the right moment to reopen, it’s going to be a long time.”
Pat and her husband both understand that their decision to reopen might be met with criticism, but understand that they cannot make everyone happy.
“No matter what decision we make, it will be controversial,” said Pat. “We will not please people if we reopen and we will disappoint people if we do not. Whatever decision we make, we will not please everyone.”
However, they have seen a positive response from many regarding their reopening. On Monday, April 27, shortly after opening, Cravings Home Cooking had six dine-in customers.
“People have been pleased with the approach we have taken and the safety steps we have taken, said Pat. “They know what we were doing before everything got to this point. They have the peace of mind that we are taking the safe steps we need to.”
