Metro Vancouver Restaurant News thread

[logan5]

Originally Posted by whatnext

There are lots of other restaurants that have been forced to do the same and have managed to make it work.

And a lot haven't.

Small business owners held protest today that took them over the Cambie Street Bridge. I don't think people realize how much stress they are under. I totally understand their concern that this "circuit breaker" will be extended beyond 3 weeks.

Data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business shows in September 2020, there were 58,000 fewer active businesses in Canada compared to September 2019. The CIFB predicts up to 238,000 businesses could disappear before the pandemic is over.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/hundreds-of-busine...-b-c-s-new-health-restrictions-1.5373170

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by logan5

And a lot haven't.

Small business owners held protest today that took them over the Cambie Street Bridge. I don't think people realize how much stress they are under. I totally understand their concern that this "circuit breaker" will be extended beyond 3 weeks.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/hundreds-of-busine...-b-c-s-new-health-restrictions-1.5373170

They should be more concerned about the reasons why they would extend the "circuit breaker". The fact they are actively against wearing masks says more than enough about their priorities.

[GeeCee]

We have some of the mildest restrictions in the country and our numbers show as a result. Try to tighten things up a little bit and this type still freaks out. Incredibly childish.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by logan5

The guy is obviously desperate, and ultimately he was forced to close, and he probly knew he would be forced to close. Looking at the comments online, people really get some satisfaction watching a drowning man finished off. I find it repugnant myself.

Look into the history of this particular individual. He's an asshole, and borderline scam artist. I feel bad for his employees.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by logan5

And a lot haven't.

Small business owners held protest today that took them over the Cambie Street Bridge. I don't think people realize how much stress they are under. I totally understand their concern that this "circuit breaker" will be extended beyond 3 weeks.

Other parts of Canada (and the world) have had far greater restrictions for restaurant dining.

This isn't the way to garner sympathy.

[GeeCee]

Word is that GUSTO is currently getting ready to open up for the day at their normal 9am opening time, despite the closure order.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by logan5

And a lot haven't.

Small business owners held protest today that took them over the Cambie Street Bridge. I don't think people realize how much stress they are under. I totally understand their concern that this "circuit breaker" will be extended beyond 3 weeks.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/hundreds-of-busine...-b-c-s-new-health-restrictions-1.5373170

Of course they're under stress. That's no excuse to sicken others. If it comes down to a choice between your business and a Canadian's life, I'm going to choose to sacrifice your business, sorry. And it's not like there aren't numerous programs to aid small business.

All the other arguments that Costco is open etc are rubbish. In Costco you generally pass by someone for a few seconds and don't talk to them. What was happening in restaurants was 2-3 households were gathering per table for 1-2 hours and talking and eating. A perfect recipe for virus transmission.

As someone pointed out the sheer number of unmasked people at that rally revealed their true nature. I hope the city and province come down on them like a ton of bricks. If I was the province I'd open up their landlords to legal action if they don't comply. That would shut them down ASAP.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by GeeCee

Word is that GUSTO is currently getting ready to open up for the day at their normal 9am opening time, despite the closure order.

Apparently Gusto will be complying with the provincial order, and closing the 10 indoor seats.

[Feathered Friend]

Vancouver eatery flouting COVID-19 rules 'packed all night': owner
BY LISA STEACY

Posted Apr 2, 2021 10:15 pm PDT Last Updated Apr 3, 2021 at 12:22 am PDT

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A Kitsilano restaurant that stayed open Friday despite B.C.’s order banning indoor dining has been “packed all night,” according to the owner...

...Speaking to a rally that drew about 200 people to the streets of downtown Vancouver, Rebecca Matthews, owner of Corduroy, announced her plans to open her restaurant at 4 p.m. She invited attendees to “come down and have some food inside,” drawing cheers from the crowd.

In her speech, she questioned the accuracy of COVID-19 testing, railed against the media, and said she has “lost all trust in our government.”

At around 9:30 p.m., Matthews told NEWS 1130 things were “going great,” the eatery remained busy, and no enforcement action had been taken.

More at
https://www.citynews1130.com/2021/04/02/kitsilano-restaurant-defies-ban/

I wonder if she'll take the same action at the other restaurants she owns, the Corduroy Pie Company.

[Feathered Friend]

Brendan Dawe @BrendanDawe
Look whose open again this morning



Some staff still unmasked

8:49 AM · Apr 3, 2021·Twitter for iPhone

https://twitter.com/BrendanDawe/status/1378374151002546178?s=20

[whatnext]

Didn't take long for Earls on Fir & Broadway to pivot to patio dining only. In addition to their usual patio they added tents to their parking lot.

[IMG]IMG_2440 by whatnextyvr, on Flickr[/IMG]

(my photo)

[logicbomb]

Originally Posted by whatnext

There are lots of other restaurants that have been forced to do the same and have managed to make it work.

And there are a lot of restaurants that rely on people to dine in due to the allurement of a location. Restaurants near beach fronts, downtown and other prime locations will undoubtedly see a decline in patrons.

The Provincial government loosened restrictions to allow church services and 10 person gatherings. They hinted that more of this was to come. Restaurants were completely blindsided by the recent orders...none of which seemed to target the large retailers, malls or box stores that continue to have uncontrolled crowds in their stores. A restaurant owner along Denman has shared the hell they have to go through to get a permit from the COV to operate outdoors, that and the now short supply of patio furniture. This is to have a hope in hell to survive.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

And there are a lot of restaurants that rely on people to dine in due to the allurement of a location. Restaurants near beach fronts, downtown and other prime locations will undoubtedly see a decline in patrons.

The Provincial government loosened restrictions to allow church services and 10 person gatherings. They hinted that more of this was to come. Restaurants were completely blindsided by the recent orders...none of which seemed to target the large retailers, malls or box stores that continue to have uncontrolled crowds in their stores. A restaurant owner along Denman has shared the hell they have to go through to get a permit from the COV to operate outdoors, that and the now short supply of patio furniture. This is to have a hope in hell to survive.

They only hinted of more loosening supposedly on the rollout of the vaccine.

There's no restaurants in the city that are checking to see if people are from the same household/circle eating at the same table so it seems a bit rich to complain about other retailers that also have problems enforcing PHOs. I mean if you really believe on hating on big box retailers you should ban people who shop/work/supply those busineses from eating at your restaurant. Yeah, that's not going to happen.

[logicbomb]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

They only hinted of more loosening supposedly on the rollout of the vaccine.

Yeah and the BC government reiterated positive messaging before pulling the plug on the Astrazenica vaccine.

There's no restaurants in the city that are checking to see if people are from the same household/circle eating at the same table so it seems a bit rich to complain about other retailers that also have problems enforcing PHOs. I mean if you really believe on hating on big box retailers you should ban people who shop/work/supply those busineses from eating at your restaurant. Yeah, that's not going to happen.

There were no restaurants checking whether or not guests were apart of the same household because it was solely a recommendation by the PHO.

Restaurant capacity is bound by the number of seats inside the restaurant. Many of the restaurants I frequented during the pandemic purchased plexiglass dividers and provided ample hand sanitizer.

In contrast to Loblaws stores which stopped crowd control, and also stopped providing wetwipes and hand sanitizer in aisles.

Local restaurants got completely screwed by the BC Government.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

Yeah and the BC government reiterated positive messaging before pulling the plug on the Astrazenica vaccine.



There were no restaurants checking whether or not guests were apart of the same household because it was solely a recommendation by the PHO.

Restaurant capacity is bound by the number of seats inside the restaurant. Many of the restaurants I frequented during the pandemic purchased plexiglass dividers and provided ample hand sanitizer.

In contrast to Loblaws stores which stopped crowd control, and also stopped providing wetwipes and hand sanitizer in aisles.

Local restaurants got completely screwed by the BC Government.

“Just a recommendation” so let’s ignore it? Now we’re seeing the consequences. I wasn’t worried about catching Covid from a server or even other tables. It’s the tables of 6 from different households that were spreading it amongst themselves, just as they would have been if they met in someone’s apartment. The province should have just said 2 people maximum per table and no multiple table reservations.

Lamenting the loss of hand sanitizer is silly. That just “security theatre”, in general Covid isn’t spread that way.

[Klazu]

I haven't read above discussion but do find it shameful how media and all of social media are trying to hunt down every establishment they see being in violation. Talk about a modern lynch group mentality.

[logicbomb]

Originally Posted by whatnext

“Just a recommendation” so let’s ignore it? Now we’re seeing the consequences. I wasn’t worried about catching Covid from a server or even other tables. It’s the tables of 6 from different households that were spreading it amongst themselves, just as they would have been if they met in someone’s apartment. The province should have just said 2 people maximum per table and no multiple table reservations.

Lamenting the loss of hand sanitizer is silly. That just “security theatre”, in general Covid isn’t spread that way.

Recommendations are getting outright ignored everyday. Finger wagging and saying please doesn't work in our society. It's up to the PHA and BC Government to bring restrictions and mandates, and also include them in worksafe guidelines. I agree with you though, the province should have either put a hard cap on tables or required restaurants to do "ID verification" to ensure table sitters lived with each other.

Instead, many of the larger restaurants that had capacity to sit 8-10 people and contributed to this mess (many of these are not your small restaurants but chains like Earls and Milestones) have ample space and parking lots to house patrons in tents, while your small restaurants are now totally screwed.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Klazu

I haven't read above discussion but do find it shameful how media and all of social media are trying to hunt down every establishment they see being in violation. Talk about a modern lynch group mentality.

Seems the complete opposite, those establishments want to be the media poster child of being against common sense. Sure it's a media circus but they brought it on themselves.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

Recommendations are getting outright ignored everyday. Finger wagging and saying please doesn't work in our society. It's up to the PHA and BC Government to bring restrictions and mandates, and also include them in worksafe guidelines. I agree with you though, the province should have either put a hard cap on tables or required restaurants to do "ID verification" to ensure table sitters lived with each other.

Instead, many of the larger restaurants that had capacity to sit 8-10 people and contributed to this mess (many of these are not your small restaurants but chains like Earls and Milestones) have ample space and parking lots to house patrons in tents, while your small restaurants are now totally screwed.

Exactly. In this societal setting (ie not Asia) you regulate for the idiots. Restrictions and mandates are nothing without enforcement and fines. I'm fine with giving leeway to restaurants that do their best to serve their customers while doing everthing in their capacity to be safe. If they have customers that don't want to follow those rules then they should have a fallback to get help without turning into the Covid policeman.

[Feathered Friend]

Kennedy Stewart @kennedystewart
Corduroy and Gusto restaurants have had their business licenses suspended. The City has taken strong measures to close the restaurants that continue to defy public health orders.

We need to stick together to keep each other safe during COVID-19.

2:09 PM · Apr 5, 2021·Twitter Web App

https://twitter.com/kennedystewart/status/1379179361824174080?s=20

Apparently the penalty for violating the suspension would be 5 years without a business license. as per

https://twitter.com/vancolour/status/1379189170652860425?s=20