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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (May 28, 2020)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL Menu from A1 resorted to take-out ser- vices or shut down all together. On May 15, Lane County was among several Oregon coun- ties approved to begin Phase One of the state’s reopening blueprint. Among guidelines for restaurants and bars are the requirements to im- plement six feet of social distancing, limit groups to parties of 10 or fewer, end food and drink con- sumption by 10 p.m. and instruct workers to wear masks. Each Cottage Grove food and beverage busi- ness has responded dif- ferently and, though the Chamber has not received news that any local businesses are fold- ing, Neigh pointed out that the reopening is far from normal. “It’s not going to be business as usual,” she said. “I don’t think any- body really knows what the ‘new normal’ is go- ing to be. Everybody’s just trying to play it by ear right now and keep everybody safe.” With the challenge of meeting safety guide- lines, many businesses throughout town have opted to simply con- tinue offering take-out. Downtown establish- ments, though, have be- gun to see more traffic as some are trying to opti- mize the opportunity. Main Street pub Axe and Fiddle, for instance, now offers limited seat- ing (though none at the bar) and encourages reservations for dine-ins while still offering take- out services. Likewise, The Brew- station has taken advan- tage of its spacious out- side seating area while trying to maintain so- cial-distancing measures and accommodate an isolation-weary public. “Phase one has re- duced our footprint of table space, partially because of the updates/ remodel we are doing in the music space of our pub and also be- cause of spacing of tables and chairs to meet the safe distancing require- ments,” said Brewsta- tion owner Dale Smith. “We are set up to clean between all customers including tables, chairs, menus and the bar area. Hand sanitizer is avail- able inside and out in the beer garden and safe distancing is marked on the floor.” In addition, staff at both pubs will contin- ue to be outfitted with masks. Stacy’s Covered Bridge Restaurant has also seen an uptick in customers as the business has ad- justed its seating and opened up to limited dine-ins. “We’re big enough that we can social distance,” said owner Stacy Solo- mon. “And we’ve still got the to-go orders, which we’re hoping to contin- MAY 28, 2020 | 7A DAMIEN SHERWOOD/COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL Grovers turned out at The Brewstation May 15 for the first day of the county’s Phase One reopening, which allows restricted sit-down service in food and beverage establishments. While some local businesses have made adjustments to come into compliance with state requirements, others have delayed reopening as they strategize ways to meet the guidelines. ue because there are still some people not quite comfortable going out in public yet.” The restaurant’s re- opening on the first day of Phase One saw a ro- bust turnout, one which Solomon said nearly overwhelmed the limit- ed staff. “I think people are just excited to get back out again,” said Solomon. Other establishments like Buster’s Main Street Café, though, do not have such a spatial ad- vantage. Buster’s closed well before the gover- nor’s executive order and reopened May 19 GIT ER DONE CLEANING: Maintenance Cleaning Deluxe Cleanings Move in, Move out Cleans Offi ce Cleanings Weekly, Bi-Weekly or Monthly Call or email today for details. | providing only take-out. Unfortunately, the coun- ty’s shift to Phase One has not been a financial boon for the café. “We didn’t open for dine-in because of the way the tables have to be situated,” explained owner Paul Tocco. “There’s no space and it’s not worth the risk.” As such, the café con- tinues to offer its take- out service exclusively. Lingering Impact Though there is a rel- ative return to stability among some establish- ments, the impact of the lockdown has taken its Anytime. Anywhere. Any day... Matt Bjornn, Agent %XV www.bjornninsurance.com 541-735-1231 giterdonecleaning@outlook.com That’s when you can count on State Farm ® . I know life doesn’t come with a schedule. That’s why at State Farm you can always count on me for whatever you need – 24/7, 365. GET TO A BETTER STATE ™ . CALL ME TODAY. toll on both businesses and their workers. Brewstation, for ex- ample, was forced to lay off nine of its 13 em- ployees, said Smith. A skeleton crew continued to offer take-out growl- ers, canned and bottled products and eventually made-to-go food, but Smith estimates business dropped to 25 percent of its usual revenue stream. Brewstation’s adjoining feed store has continu- ing to bring in revenue, though, and Smith at- tributed part of the busi- ness’s ability to ride out the storm to the com- munity. “Business was still greatly reduced in the pub, though our com- munity was very gener- ous in the frequenting us for to-go and their tips and concern for our team,” said Smith, add- ing that business has in- creased to about 50 per- cent of its usual stream. “It’s inching up day by day.” Other businesses have reported similar layoff rates and drops in sales. Even with the reopening attracting more custom- ers, some business own- ers cannot yet afford to rehire their former See IMPACT 8A 15% OFF Any service with coupon Schedule your appointment Today! 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