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About Coast river business journal. (Astoria, OR) 2006-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 13, 2021)
FEATURE STORY Coast River Business Journal January 2021 • 7 LUKE WHITTAKER Nancy Gorshe, co-owner of The Depot Restaurant in Seaview, pictured, said she hopes Washington will open indoor dining by the long weekend of Martin Luther King Day. CAROLYN HOARD While indoor dining has been closed through the holiday season, restaurants have pivoted to outdoor dining and takeout. reopened in June to run the restaurant outside all summer long,” Orr said. Customers still came to eat at the outdoor picnic tables, and they only got rained out for three days. Meanwhile, Orr studied past pandemics and learned that winters were often the worst. He knew the rainy Pacifi c Northwest winter was coming, so he spent about $20,000 on a medical-grade, three- stage air cleaner and upgraded air ducting in an attempt to provide his customers with adequate air- fl ow to safely dine indoors. But shortly after, the state shut down indoor dining across the board in response to a surge in case numbers. “Everyone knew this was coming and I planned for it and I’m still getting crushed by what’s happen- ing,” Orr said. “I agree that indoor dining is proba- bly the dodgiest thing because you have to take your mask off to eat. But I think Washington has to look at making exceptions for businesses that are mak- ing those investments and having clear standards for what they need to do for air cleaning.” “We appreciate the people on the front lines of this situation,” Orr said. “All our guests have been ‘WE WERE SURPRISED BY THE FOLKS WE HAVEN’T MET BEFORE COMING FOR TAKEOUT. WE’VE BASICALLY PIVOTED TO TAKEOUT AND WE CAN’T TAKE IT BACK. IT WILL BE WITH US FOREVER.’ Nancy Gorshe Co-owner of The Depot Restaurant in Seaview understanding and we look forward to serving them in whatever capacity we can.” The Depot Restaurant Nancy Gorshe, co-owner of The Depot Restau- rant in Seaview with her husband and chef, Michael Lalewicz, said she hopes Washington will open indoor dining by the long weekend of Martin Luther King Day. “That’s when people usually start coming back to their beach houses, so if we can open by then that would be helpful,” Gorshe said. “We certainly want people to feel welcome, and we don’t want people to be sick.” She said not being open for indoor dining during the holiday season has been tough, as in a normal year Thanksgiving week usually gives The Depot a boost before the slower winter months. “I’m feeling a little more anxious than the fi rst go around (of virus-related closures) except now we know what to do,” Gorshe said. “We shut down and put people on unemployment faster.” Out of 16 staff members, 12 went on unemploy- ment while Gorshe, Lalewicz and a couple other employees stayed on to offer takeout. As a fi ne dining restaurant, The Depot never pushed takeout before in its 17-year history, but COVID-19 restrictions led to a reduced menu with takeout-friendly, packageable options. In turn, the new menu brought on a new customer base. “We were surprised by the folks we haven’t met before coming for takeout,” Gorshe said. “We’ve basically pivoted to takeout and we can’t take it back. It will be with us forever.” Facilitating partnerships As a chairwoman of the Long Beach Penin- sula Visitors Bureau, Gorshe has helped facilitate partnerships between restaurants and local hotels, including Sou’wester Lodge and local timeshares through Wyndham. “They need places for their customers to eat, so they help keep up our takeout as well,” Gorshe said. She is also on the board of Ocean Beach Hospi- tal and the Washington State Hospital Association, and said she is very excited the COVID-19 vaccine is already starting to be distributed locally. “It’s critical our community is not being for- gotten,” she said. “They’re not left behind because they’re rural. They are going to be treated fairly and equitably.” Gorshe said she appreciates the support of com- munity members who have been getting more take- out than they normally would in order to support the restaurant. “We wouldn’t be here without that community support,” Gorshe said. CARE FOR YOUR TREES Tree removals • Pruning • Stump Grinding • Plant Health Care LUKE COLVIN JON FAGERLAND AUSTIN WIENECKE 503-791-0853 ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST PN#6331A ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST PN#7059A ISA CERTIFIED MASTER ARBORIST PN-5890B TCIA Accredited • ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified • Insured and Bonded • CCB#171855 · WA#ARBORCI909RW www.arborcarenw.com
