The Birch, in Terrace Park, is named for the birch tree that shades the outdoor patio area. (Photo: Amanda Rossmann, The Enquirer/Amanda Rossmann)

Many restaurants and bar owners were taken by surprise by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's announcementthat restaurants in Ohio could open their patios on May 15, with social distancing in place. But, given that their operations had been reduced to carryout and delivery for two months, they were anxious to take advantage of the new rules.So they got busy power-washing, getting out the tables and chairs, measuring distances between tables.

The group that created the guidelines for Ohio decided to go with specific distancing guidelines instead of a percentage of capacity, as some other states did. Parties of 10 may sit together, with tables six feet apart, or with physical barriers between.

Still, it's a new world for restaurant owners, who aren't sure how many employees to bring back, how to get their supply chains going again, and exactly how they'll protect their staff. It's also not exactly full-on outdoor dining season, with the weather probably a bigger variable than anything. For some, this may be a good ramp-up to May 21, when restaurants are allowed in Ohio to open indoor dining areas with distancing measures. In Kentucky, restaurants will be allowed to reopen May 22 at 33%.Indiana has already allowed restaurants to reopen at 50%.

More: Salons and restaurant patios are open today in Ohio. Heres what you need to know.

More: Eight Over-the-Rhine bars and restaurants could start using street seating Friday

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The outdoor patio are of MVP Sports Bar and Grille, owned by Joshua Baughan, in Silverton on Monday, May 11, 2020. The restaurant will be reopening the patio area on Friday, May 15, 2020. The restaurant has been serving take out only due to the new coronavirus pandemic. (Photo: Albert Cesare / The Enquirer)

Some streets in Downtown and Over-the-Rhine will be closed so that restaurants can continue to serve outside.

So, if you think you're ready, you can now take a seat on a patio and order a drink and something to eat, like (sort of) back in the good old days of two months ago.Just remember, DeWine didn't let restaurants open because the coronavirus threat is over. It's not. Please be careful.And, please. Be nice. Restaurants are going through enough.

Not every restaurant and bar has decided to take advantage of the May 15 opening. But the following are, thoughit's not a complete list.

Mom 'n 'Em Coffee, Camp Washington

Fireside Pizza, Walnut Hills

Shires' Garden rooftop, Downtown

Taste of Belgium, Over-the-Rhine, on the Banks and Rookwood

BrewDog, Pendleton

The Mercer, Over-the-Rhine

Mecklenburg Gardens, Corryville

Gaslight Bar & Grill, Clifton

Galla Park, Downtown

Holy GrailPub, Downtown

Rosedale Bar, Over-the-Rhine

Pickled Pig,Walnut Hills

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Aladdin's Eatery franchise opened on Main Street in Over-the-Rhine May 25, 2018. This location has a full liquor license, a 1,000-square foot outdoor patio for outdoor dining and an area for lounging.(Photo: The Enquirer/Meg Vogel)

Aladdin's, Over-the-Rhine

Eli's BBQ, East End

Branch, East Walnut Hills

Pepp and Dolores, Over-the-Rhine

Bakersfield, Over-the-Rhine

Kreuger's, Over-the-Rhine

City View Tavern, Mount Adams

Somm, East Price Hill

Incline Public House, East Price Hill

Nicholsons, Downtown

Abagail Street, Over-the-Rhine

Maize, Over-the-Rhine

Senate, Over-the-Rhine

McCormick & Schmicks, Downtown

Food writer Polly Campbell picks her favorite three Cincinnati restaurants of 2019. Cincinnati Enquirer

Ron's Roost, Bridgetown

Cabana on the River, Sayler Park

Jim & Jacks on the River, Riverside

Wicked Good Pub and Grill, White Oak

Tela, Wyoming

Station BBQ, Wyoming

Littlefield and The Second Place, Northside

Dojo Gelato, Northside

Third and Main, Aurora, Indiana

Linnie's Pub, Delhi

Senate Pub, Blue Ash

Slatt's Pub, Blue Ash

Through the Garden, Blue Ash

Arthur's Cafe, Hyde Park

E+O, Hyde Park

Keystone, Hyde Park

The Birch, in Terrace Park, is named for the birch tree that shades the outdoor patio area. (Photo: Amanda Rossmann, The Enquirer/Amanda Rossmann)

The Birch, Terrace Park

Urban Grill,Newtown

20 Brix, Milford

Karrikin, Fairfax

Unwind Wine Bar, Hyde Park

Pirate's Cove, Columbia Tusculum

Mesa Loca, Hyde Park

Brew River, Linwood

R.P. McMurphy's Pub, Oakley

Dana Gardens, Norwood

St. Bernard Pub, St. Bernard

Sorrento's Italian Joint, Norwood

WiedemannBrewery, St. Bernard

The Oak Tavern, Oakley

The Pub Rookwood, Norwood

OBryons Bar & Grill, OBryonville

Sorrento's Italian Joint has a new outdoor bar and patio with a Bocce Ball court and a fire pit.(Photo: The Enquirer/Meg Vogel)

Bishop's Quarter, Loveland

Tano Bistro, Hamilton

Mei, Montgomery

Empanadas Aqui, Mason

The outdoor patio are of MVP Sports Bar and Grille, owned by Joshua Baughan, in Silverton on Monday, May 11, 2020. The restaurant will be reopening the patio area on Friday, May 15, 2020. The restaurant has been serving take out only due to the new coronavirus pandemic. (Photo: Albert Cesare / The Enquirer)

MVP Sports Bar and Grill, Silverton

PacificKitchen, Montgomery

Piccolo Wine Room, Glendale

Aladdins, West Chester

DeShas, Symmes Township

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These are the restaurants and bars opening for outdoor seating Friday - The Cincinnati Enquirer

As he prepared for the possibility that Virginia restaurants might soon reopen outdoor areas to customers, Hops N Shine co-owner Matt Rofougaran spent last week hustling to make his Alexandria beer garden as safe from COVID-19 as possible. He raced to Home Depot to buy supplies for a plexiglass sneeze-guard that will separate customers and bartenders. He stocked shelves that usually held glasses and plates with face masks and disinfectant wipes. By Monday, he had made a plan to rearrange the entire back patio, going beyond the states minimum requirements for 6 feet of distancing by spacing tables 10 feet apart.

Rofougaran was working to create an antiseptic environment in time for Virginias targeted May 15 start to the first phase of its reopening plan. Then he heard Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announce that Northern Virginia would diverge from the rest of the state by waiting to lift restrictions on businesses until at least two weeks later.

For restaurateurs in Northern Virginia, chasing moving targets has added to a sense of uncertainty. Everyone is grappling with the same issue: how to sell enough food to cover rent and payroll while also keeping everyone safe. But each individuals response to the governments guidelines depends on the buildings they have to work with, the type of food they serve, and their comfort level with being on the front lines of a public health crisis.

Rofougaran knew a delayed reopening was likely in Northern Virginia, because local leaders had already pushed Northam on the issue. Getting more time to prepare was ultimately a relief. Hed be able to figure out the seating configuration and train staff that would need to be brought back. But there was a part of him that felt a twinge when he looked outside, too. The patio at Hops N Shine will sit empty this weekend, which will be a disappointment to the regulars who had been emailing him trying to reserve a table.

Unfortunately, the weather is going to be amazing on Friday, which kind of is bad timing, Rofougaran says. But I understand. I dont want to open up and risk my employees or my customers getting sick.

Ivan Iricanin, the restaurateur behind Balkan small-plates place Ambar and the Mexican complex that combine Buena Vida with Tacos Tortas Tequila, also thinks its a good decision to wait a little longer. In his capacity as Street Guys Hospitality CEO, Iricanin has restaurants throughout D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Im hopeful to start ASAP, but Im glad that its not this week, says Iricanin, telling Eater he suspected that parts of Maryland and Northern Virginia would move along with Districts timeline. The people are interconnected.

Iricanin is ahead of the curve, because hes been keeping tabs on restaurants his company owns in Serbia. With some six restaurants in Belgrade already back in business, Iricanin has seen customers flood back, and hes considering strategies to allay anxieties for stateside customers. Hes thinking about buying fogging machines that can disinfect the restaurants every night and implementing reservation-only, pay-up-front seating. Hosting a separate dining hour for older customers is another possibility.

The most dramatic change for Iricanins business is a move toward delivery-only ghost kitchens. Hes already brought his Ambar brand to Silver Spring by having the Mexican kitchen at the Buena Vida there and cranking out Balkan dishes in addition to ceviches, enchiladas, and flautas. He says he might also bring Mexican food to the original Ambar in Capitol Hill, which shut down before the pandemic to undergo a $3 million renovation. He says he could reopen it for takeout tacos, or wait until D.C. begins reopening (by June 8 or earlier, according to the latest mayoral order).

We need to be flexible, we need to be ready for whatever, we need to be smart, he says.

Is opening patios at half capacity, as stated in Virginias reopening plan, going to help the bottom line for restaurants?

I dont think it makes any financial sense at all, Iricanin says. It doesnt make any sense, because if you pay rent, if you pay your employees, bring the manager back, I think you can definitely not be profitable.

Opening patios only is a start, however, and Iricanin sees it as a way to ease back into business.

While restaurateurs like Rofougaran and Iricanin agree with a cautious approach to reopening, some of their peers are growing impatient. Chad Sparrow, the managing partner at Alexandria-based restaurant group Common Plate Hospitality (Mason Social, Urbano 116, Augies Mussel House and Beer Garden), spent the last week staffing up and ordering food for Augies in Old Town. The property, which has a recently renovated patio, has been completely closed but would have been ready to go Friday.

Im definitely surprised frustrated, honestly with the delays, Sparrow says. I dont understand how legally, Virginia and Northern Virginia have never been separated on any legal terms in history, and now theyre separating what the governors passing and changing it.

The decision to treat Northern Virginia separately came at the request of public officials across the region, who sent a memo from their health directors showing COVID-19 cases were much more acute in their counties than the rest of the state. Data shared by the governors office show that around 70 percent of the states new cases are traced to Northern Virginia.

However, Sparrow says he thinks theres been a real lack of direction for restaurateurs, and that he also doesnt understand the logic of some of the Phase I rules, including allowing churches to hold socially distant worship inside.

The restrictions for restaurants are already pretty extreme. Only 50 percent of exterior seating. Were practicing all types of sanitization, wearing masks, Sparrow says. Churches are 50 percent inside occupancy; it doesnt have any logic behind it. Churches arent cleaned the same as restaurants are. You can have mega churches that could be 2,000 people; you could have up to 1,000 people in a space.

Common Plate Hospitalitys Paycheck Protection Program loan runs out the first week of June, and Sparrow is worried that he still wont need his full staff at that point, because the first phase will start two weeks later than anticipated.

I dont feel small businesses had any voice in this decision, Sparrow says.

While Sparrow thinks the state is dragging its feet, one of his peers in Alexandria feels reopening may be coming too soon. Nicole Jones, the chef-owner behind the popular, biscuit-centric cafe Stomping Ground and Bagel Uprising next door, says she plans to stick with a carryout model until theres a vaccine or another science-driven solution that makes her feel comfortable seating customers. Even on the Bagel Uprising patio, she doesnt see herself hosting diners for the foreseeable future.

Switching business models is too expensive and labor-intensive for her to consider toggling back and forth between spikes in infections, she says.

Ive got two tiny little restaurants. The idea of trying to retool my business model yet again to keep people in that scenario, it just doesnt make sense, and I dont feel safe doing it, Jones says.

She questions the timing, given that there are increasing reports of employees at restaurants across the region testing positive for COVID-19.

We are for the first time seeing family members or staff people in the area actually either testing positive or seeing someone in their family test positive, she says. Those of us who have been working during this time are finally starting to see really scary stuff.

While Jones considers herself lucky that biscuits and bagels translate well for takeout, other popular restaurants in Northern Virginia arent so fortunate. Places that proved popular when close gatherings were allowed are now reckoning with how to reopen, especially those without patios.

In Fairfax, Christopher Kim is wondering whats next for his Korean barbecue restaurant, Meokja Meokja.

We dont have an outdoor seating area, so that doesnt include us, he says of the Phase I plans. People come to Meokja Meokja for the experience of seeing short ribs and pork belly sizzle on a grill in front of them, he says. Carryout has mostly been a wash.

Theres no way we can keep the restaurant open on the takeout business alone, Kim says. Even if it tripled, or quadrupled or quintupled, what we were doing right now, I dont think it would be enough.

Hes thinking through his plans for when the dining room can be open again, whether thats spacing out tables or asking customers to wait in their cars until their tables are ready. Kim says he will take every precaution he can to help diners feel comfortable, and he says he has a safety net to help weather this crisis. But not every restaurant does. I think that most restaurant owners, especially the ones that are immigrants, theyre probably going to want to open. Otherwise, theyre going to have to close forever if they dont.

One such restaurant, Vietnamese institution Four Sisters, wont be welcoming diners back to its spacious Merrifield dining room right away. But it does plan to open for takeout on May 25 after going dormant for two months. Four Sisters Grill, a casual outpost in Clarendon, has already been running pickup service. At the flagship, co-owner Le Lai says she has slashed the 170-item menu in half, prioritizing dishes that travel well. You have to think of a nice crispy sea bass, she says. By the time you bring it home, the presentation and the taste is not going to be the same as you eating there.

For the first time in nearly three decades of business, Four Sisters is using social media to market itself. Lai started a Facebook page for the restaurant earlier this month.

Our restaurants been in the business for 27 years, so they call us the veteran Vietnamese restaurant because weve been here so long, Lai says. We had nothing on Facebook, we have nothing on Instagram, nothing on Twitter. We didnt need to. We didnt do any ads; its all word of mouth and press. Its very, very local.

Lai wants to make ordering as easy as possible for takeout customers, whether they want to use a third-party delivery app or are less tech savvy and just want to call in an order. She also imagines someday operating a fast-casual style option outside, where customers might use a self-service system.

Thank God we have a patio. We have to be very creative now, she says. I can not visualize a server having to wear a mask and take orders to a customer wearing a mask trying to order, and you cant hear each other.

She hopes that implementing changes at Four Sisters will keep it going for the long run.

We are adjusting to a new lifestyle. And hopefully we survive this bump and we can be around with our neighborhood customers, Lai says. Weve been here so long, we just hope that we can continue our business.

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9619 Fairfax Boulevard, , VA 22031 (571) 459-2875

2307 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301

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For Northern Virginia Restaurants, Reopening Is Full of Moving Targets - Eater DC

Restaurant patios were reopened to the public May 15.

Their temporary closures were part of an ongoing effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

While takeout and delivery options were available for many restaurants, the communal aspect of sitting down with friends and family over a meal has been missing from many establishments.

Red Creek Bar and Grill was among many restaurants that reopened their patio seating after certain restrictions were lifted, May 15.

Painesville Townships Red Creek Bar and Grill 1820 North Ridge Road, was eager to rekindle their connection with the community. Manager Nick Raischel and staff were out early the morning of May 15 erecting a large tent pavilion in anticipation. Red Creek already has an attached patio but the tent was put in place to accommodate any additional guests.

Pavilion tent seating was erected for additional patrons at Red Creek Bar and Grill, May 15.

The social interaction was as welcome by their patrons as it was the staff.

We miss seeing the people," Raischel said. Weve got our regulars. Everybody calls this their 'Cheers.' Weve got our people that were used to seeing. Its been six or eight weeks since weve seen them. We get text messages from them but its not the same. A lot of our people know each other. This is a small community.

Red Creek's original patio is attached to the building and will see its first patrons for several weeks, beginning May 15.

For a pair of guests from Perry and Painesville they were eager to get out of the house and upgrade from the fast food they had been frequenting. Weve been to Mr. Hero like seven times this month already. Its nice to finally sit down with real food, the Painesville patron said. It would be nice to be able to go inside, but this is better than nothing.

Adaptability has seen Red Creek through the uncertainty surrounding the social distancing restrictions.

The patio at Red Creek Bar and Grill in Painesville Township awaits diners.

It has been a lot of work and adjustments. Every day is a new challenge, but so far so good. The community has been great with us. Weve stayed steady throughout all of this. There are good people out here. Were just trying to adapt and be there for people as everyone has to deal with all of this. Its tough, but were making it happen.

Red Creek is looking forward to semblance of normalcy but Raischel understands the new situation we all find ourselves in. I dont think well ever go back to hundred percent like it was but this is as close as we can.

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Painesville Township's Red Creek Bar and Grill opens its patio, rain or shine - News-Herald.com

10 items in this article 3 items on sale!

Photo-Illustration: retailer

We write about hundreds of products a week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, weve plucked out some of our favorites expert-recommendedessentials,life-changing stuffyou didnt know you needed, newly-launched gizmos, and thevery good dealswe uncovered while trolling through the vast online-shopping universe this past week, including Denise Richardss love whistle, a serum to even out face-mask tan lines, and a most exquisite cornhole set.

In early March, fashion editor Laurel Pantin found herself sheltering in place in her hometown of Austin with only a weekends worth of clothes, begins our investigation into the shoe we cant stop seeing in our Instagram feeds. As soon as temperatures in the South hit 90 degrees, she realized the only pair of shoes she traveled with werent suited for Texas weather. And thats how she ended up with a pair of strawberry Crocs. Then Pantin posted them on Instagram. Then textile designer Heather Taylor posted them on Instagram. Then fashion designer Clare Vivier posted them on Instagram. Then publicist Madeline Fawcett posted them on Instagram. Then Megababe founder Katie Sturino posted them on Instagram. Now, theyre selling out but eBay still seems to have a decent stock (if you order, know that it simply calls them white).

The trouble with a lot of Ikeas affordable home furnishings is that they look like affordable home furnishings from Ikea. Which is why we did a double take when an interior designer told us this wood-and-rope folding chair that looks like some pricey designer model for Design Within Reach is actually a reasonably priced one from the emporium of Scandinavian design. Says that interior designer: The strong, clean lines of this architectural silhouette are a striking addition to an outdoor space. Say we: It would look just as striking indoors, too.

The Lovetuner is a whistle that, when blown, makes a sound at the frequency of 528 hertz, which is known as the frequency of love, explains the actress, who told us shes been using it a lot lately. Its very calming. Anytime Im feeling stressed out or overwhelmed, it helps ground me. And we could all use that right now, during a time when theres a lot of anxiety and uncertainty.

Last week, a reader asked Rio for help with a a distinctly 2020 issue. Her friend, she continued, got a suntan on only the upper half of her face after walking around outside with a mask on, and needed something to even it out. According to our beauty obsessive, When it comes to evening out a tan on your face, vitamin C is going to be your hero ingredient. After consistent daily use, youll notice that your weird tan is slowly starting to fade away, and your complexion is generally more even and bright. Rios favorite vitamin C serum is this, from Mad Hippie: Its rich in other antioxidants like vitamin E and ferulic acid (which strengthens your skin against all sorts of environmental stressors), and soothing, nourishing, and moisture-boosting ingredients like chamomile and hyaluronic acid. If you want to shop around, dermatologists recommend 11 more vitamin C serums for skin of all types here.

Photo: Retailer

Closing out the top three in New York food editors Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfelds ranking of fancy pasta shapes is the Bucatini from Rustichella, a maker based in the Abruzzo region of Italy. They call it the sauce-gripping best, citing Hard durum semolina, mountain-spring water, old-fashioned bronze dies, and the type of leisurely, practically spalike drying session that makes all the difference as the reasons why.

To help those who would rather not let their locks go au naturel while many salons remain closed, we talked to hairstylists about the stuff they recommend for dyeing at home. The most foolproof way, according to the experts, is a conditioning, semi-permanent gloss that one hair stylist says will give your color a boost of shine and depth. Two pros swear by dpHues gloss, with one telling us it acts like a color-depositing conditioner that provides incredible shine and added pigment. Using it is as easy as applying to clean, damp hair, letting it soak in for three to 20 minutes, and then thoroughly rinsing it out.

That is what one reader asked columnist Chris Black to help him find, noting that many barefoot running shoes which, according to folks who use them, can be less intense on your heels and more responsive on slippery terrain are not particularly stylish. Agreeing that, Unfortunately, this genre of shoe is rather ugly, Chris recommended this (on sale) pair from Merrell for leaning into that ugliness in an interesting way. He adds that, functionally, their Vibram sole equals excellent stability, and there is zero drop from heel to toe for a natural stride.

Photo: Retailer

If youre looking to get lost in a dystopian world different from the one we are currently lost in, this audio version of Margaret Atwoods novel read by Danes gets rave reviews for how her exceptional narration enhances the story. One listener praises Danes for giving you a feeling of something very personal, like you are listening to a confession you wouldnt dare interrupt. Another simply adds: She was perfectly cast.

Rummaging through the internets many sales last week, we found this expert-recommended handheld vacuum for pets on sale for a not insignificant discount at Best Buy. If the couch youve been sharing with Fido is looking a little hairier than youd like, users say this little guy which comes with two attachments is both a godsend and game-changer.

Of this intricate, handmade take on what will likely become one of the most popular socially distant lawn games of the summer, we think contributors (and former Of a Kind owners) Erica Cerulo and Claire Mazur already said it best: Talk about a showstopper. Made in the Pasadena wood shop of the Wolfum founder Annabel Inganni, this fancy cornhole set is the sort of item that earns a grin even from those who have no intention of buying it.

Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts.

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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10 Things That Delighted Us Last Week: From Patio Chairs to Sauce-Gripping Pasta - New York Magazine

A bar in Cincinnati, Ohio, was full of people on Friday, May 15, as the state relaxed COVID-19 restrictions and permitted restaurants and bars with patios to reopen for outdoor service, reports said.

The state of Ohio implemented soft reopening on May 15, allowing bars and restaurants to resume operation in outdoor areas with a few caveats, according to WLWT. The new order from the Ohio Department of health says employees must wear facial coverings and maintain six feet of distance from customers, and customers must also observe social distancing guidelines among themselves, WLWT reported. Bar and arcade-type games were not allowed. The report said indoor service was slated to resume on May 21.

Video filmed by Bill Hulsizer of Cincinnati Alive shows the crowded scene on the patio of the Rosedale formerly known as Neons in Cincinnati, Ohio. In his post, Hulsizer said the City of Cincinnati closed one small street for 2 restaurants but it wasnt enough.

They need to close the streets, so restaurants can open, Hulsizer said in a message to Storyful. Last night, I took my own cup and had the bartender pour my beer into it, without touching it. Everyone needs to be doing this. Credit: Cincinnati Alive/Bill Hulsizer via Storyful

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Patrons Fill Cincinnati Bar Patio on First Night of Reopening - Yahoo News UK

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - From UpTown to the Marina District, places with patios in Toledo are preparing to get going.

"I don't know whether the people coming into eat are more eager or I am," Old Bag of Nails general manager Donald Goodwin said.

The new restaurant's opening day of March 15 was shuttered by Ohio's stay-at-home order. Since then, workers have only fulfilled take-out orders. When bars and restaurants with patios get the green light to reopen May 15, workers say they'll be ready for customers on the riverfront patio.

"The tables [will be] six feet apart," Goodwin said. "So we'll follow all the guidelines on that part of it."

Across the Maumee River on Adams Street, the crew at The Attic and Mano's Greek Restaurant are also gearing up.

"It's good news we're approaching it very seriously," general manager Amelia Jarret said.

Jarret says her state-mandated floor plan is ready, which includes socially distanced seating, limited tables and one-way entry to the bar.

"We're really thinking it through, very hard about how it's going to look," Jarret said.

Like many bars and restaurants in UpTown, the spot is also located in a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area or DORA. While it's closed for now, leaders in Gov. DeWine's office say DORAs can technically reopen when bars and restaurants do, but under the guidance of local health departments.

As talks continue on how to make it happen in UpTown, Jarret says safely restoring the DORA gives people a chance to get out and space out.

"People can just come in for a moment and get their drink and then they go and they're outside," Jarret said.

For now the focus is on patios and whether off the street or on the water, workers are ready to get back to it.

"If anybody wants to eat on the patio, we'd be more than happy to [accommodate]," Goodwin said.

Toledo-Lucas County Health Department leaders said they're not against the idea of reopening the county's three DORAs, but say that further discussions are needed. An official announcement is expected next week.

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Toledo bars, restaurants with patios gearing up to serve customers by May 15th - 13abc Action News

Gov. Ralph Northam on Friday outlined his eagerly anticipated guidelines for Phase One of reopening Virginia, and the eased restrictions have the biggest impact for churches and personal grooming businesses, such as barbershops and hair salons.

Dubbed safer in place when the governor announced it on Monday, Phase One could begin at the end of next week if current COVID-19 trends hold.

In Phase One, churches and hair salons can resume service at 50% capacity and with some other restrictions, such as social distancing inside and face masks required by both the provider and client at salons. Phase One of the states reopening could last two weeks or longer, Northam said Friday. He also emphasized that the restrictions are a floor, adding that localities that want stricter regulations can reach out to the administration, which will have the final say.

For John Clary, the owner of Studio in the Garden near West Broad Street and Libbie Avenue in Henrico County, the governors announcement came as good news for his salon, which has been closed since Northams order in March to shut down nonessential businesses.

Its been traumatic. Its been horrible not being able to have an income to be able to support our family, Clary said.

Clary was not concerned about Northams requirements for masks during appointments.

Weve been without any business, Clary said. Wearing the masks, the gloves, it doesnt bother me at all. I want people to feel comfortable in being able to come back.

Not all salons are planning to open. Pat Heaney, co-owner of Mango Salon, which has three salon locations in the Richmond area that have been shuttered since March 17 because of the coronavirus pandemic, said the business wasnt planning to open by May 15, adding that he and others are taking time to ensure they have enough personal protective equipment on hand.

Were not going to open until we are 100% confident that our employees, team members and clients will be safe, Heaney said.

Retail stores, nearly all of which were deemed essential by the state and permitted to remain open with some restrictions, can operate in Phase One at 50% capacity and with social distancing inside. Face masks for employees continue not to be mandated by the state for retail businesses deemed essential, but they will be required for workers at every nonessential business permitted to reopen.

Most of the other categories of businesses that were deemed nonessential by the governors office in March must remain closed. Gyms, restaurants and breweries will remain closed inside, but they can offer some service outdoors, such as opening patios or offering small, outdoor fitness classes.

My initial reaction is confusion, said Christian Morganti, regional manager for four Richmond-area Golds Gym franchises. Because I dont understand, given the amount of precautions that our gym, and probably many others, are willing to take, how we arent allowed to open.

Gyms and fitness centers can host outdoor classes with 10 or fewer people in the class and at least 10 feet between class attendees.

Morganti said he thought the Phase One guidelines would allow gyms to be open inside, albeit with social distancing.

Compared to other businesses that, by definition, cannot maintain social distancing and the CDC guidelines are allowed to [open], thats confusing to me, Morganti said. We can maintain social distancing at this establishment. You cant at your dentist office, you cant at your elective surgeries, you cant at the barbershop. You can at the gym.

Still, Morganti said Golds Gym will take advantage of whatever easing of restrictions it can, even if it means small outdoor classes.

He just has to coordinate it with property managers and talk with lawyers about what liabilities that we cover, he said, but if thats what we are given the opportunity to do, we will 1,000% take advantage of that opportunity.

The local restaurant industry is less excited about its Phase One guidelines.

Restaurants and breweries cannot open their dining or tasting rooms, but they can use their patios at 50% capacity and with 6 feet between parties provided the patio is at least 6 feet away from the sidewalk or any public area. Restaurant employees must wear masks and have their temperature taken at the start of each shift, and restaurants must use disposable menus. During Phase One, restaurants must meet a total of 15 daily requirements, according to detailed guidelines posted to the states website at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Nearly every other category of business was issued fewer than 10 opening requirements.

Once again, the restaurants are the ones left fending for themselves, said Michelle Williams, co-owner of the Richmond Restaurant Group, which owns and operates multiple restaurants around town. None of it makes sense. It doesnt seem like people from the industry were involved in this.

Williams said shes not sure yet if shell open any of the patios at her restaurants next week. She said she was still trying to parse the requirements and figure out if her restaurants in the city meet the 6-feet-from-the-sidewalk stipulation.

We havent gotten any clear guidance, she said. Its not a flip the switch. We didnt know what [Phase One] meant for us until 2:30 today.

Williams said theres the added challenge of bringing staff back, and knowing if limited patio seating will bring in enough revenue to warrant it.

Breweries are in the same situation.

At this point, not having really enough time to sort of process that information, it kind of creates more questions than it answers for us, said Tom Sullivan, co-founder of Ardent Craft Ales in Scotts Addition. We would not want to reopen simply because there is a business opportunity there without taking into account the safety of our employees and customers, and that gets sticky rather quickly, given the state of things.

Nancy Thomas, president and CEO of the Retail Merchants trade group, which has about 400 business members in the Richmond region, was hoping the governor would loosen restrictions on restaurants a little more.

We are encouraged that retailers are able to open at 50% capacity in Phase One of the plan, Thomas said. We are discouraged that restaurants were not included in that.

Thomas said allowing restaurants to offer indoor dining would have given them the opportunity to gauge customer preferences and prepare for the time when distancing rules can be eased enough to allow more indoor gatherings.

Plus, not all restaurants have outdoor seating, though the city of Richmond may be easing its process for restaurants to get them. Jim Nolan, a spokesman for Mayor Levar Stoney, said Friday that the city is hoping to have a process in place soon.

We are discussing options for how this can be done to ensure public safety and public health and will await further clarity from the governor next week before determining specific next steps, Nolan said.

But some businesses didnt receive any reopening flexibility in Phase One. Recreation and entertainment venues such as bowling alleys, theaters and music venues must stay closed. Beaches will remain closed except for exercise or fishing; outdoor swimming pools may open, but for lap swimming only and with a limit of one person per lane. And a 10-person limit on social gatherings enforceable as a misdemeanor remains in place, as does the recommendation for wearing masks in public and teleworking for professional businesses.

Northam said Friday that he knows many businesses want to reopen.

I also understand that there are workers who are afraid to go back right now, because they or their loved ones have underlying health conditions. ... I want to assure those workers [too], he said.

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Phase One of reopening Virginia allows salons and patios to open; dining rooms and gyms must stay closed - Richmond.com

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Ed Lee, one of the partners behind Marietta Square Market, said at the time, We think its way too early. We werent ready. As soon as we feel like its safe, well get ready and announce an opening.

In a Facebook post, the food hall announced that all of its restaurants would reopen on Friday and that the patio would be available for on-premise dining as well. The announcement also noted that the patio has been modified to accommodate social distancing guidelines. The AJC has requested additional details about the modifications but has not received a response.

Now more than a year old, Marietta Square Market is home to a wide variety of food vendors offering a range of cuisine, from ramen to Mediterranean to barbecue. Prior to the food halls reopening announcement, a majority of its vendors had closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.When dining editor Ligaya Figueras visited for Atlanta Orders In, five vendors were serving food:Grand Champion BBQ, Luckys Burgers and Brew, Forno Vero, Ponko Chicken and Four Fat Cows Ice Cream and Bakery.

Now that restaurants have had a couple of weeks to observe and understand the guidelines for reopening, all of Marietta Square Markets restaurant vendors will simultaneously reopen. The food hall will continue to offer takeout ordering with curbside pickup available for those who prefer not to go inside. Rich Dippolito, another partner behind the market, previously told the AJC that a memo had been issued to all vendors with detailed instructions for safe sanitization and service even before Gov. Kemps guidelines were released.

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Read the AJC Fall Dining Guide: The Noodle Edition

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Marietta Square Market reopening with all vendors and patio-only dining - Atlanta Journal Constitution

VIRGINIA (WAVY) As Virginia enters phase 1 of reopening and businesses are allowed to open for outdoor dining, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority is looking to help businesses in that process.

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority is expanding opportunities for ABC-licensed businesses to serve alcohol outside their establishments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Virginia ABC has created an expedited approval process for outside dining areas as some businesses consider expanding their outdoor dining areas. The process allows the temporary expansion of dining areas only while the governors executive orders 61 and 62 are in effect.

Gov. Ralph Northams Executive Order 61 which starts the phase 1 reopening process allows restaurants to now operate with delivery, take-out, and outdoor dining and beverage services only. Occupancy at those restaurants must be at 50-percent capacity.

Executive Order 62 exempts Northern Virginia from the states reopening process.

The Virginia ABCs new expedited process comes with a few stipulations:

The Virginia ABCs guidance comes just one day after Virginia Beach officials briefed City Council on their plans to safely reopen the beaches and Oceanfront businesses.

Those plans include possibly expanding restaurants ability to serve food and drink on sidewalks, in parking lots and on the boardwalk.

City Council is set to hear more about those plans during a meeting Thursday.

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Virginia ABC allows businesses to expand to outside dining areas such as parking lots or patios but only with a localitys approval - WAVY.com

East Nashvilles lou is ready to reopen this week with takeaway brunch and dinner picnic sacs, whole cakes, and wine. Chef/owner Mailea Weger and crew are also offering socially distanced patio tables outside for booking. Dubbed lou sur place, the takeaway picnic option rolls out on Friday, May 15.

A dinner sac for two people is $80, and this weeks menu includes a shrimp boil, Moroccan carrots, spring pea salad, and more. Brunch sacs are available for $55. Other options are a $40 snack sac, wine, and provisions like a farmers market box, whole cakes, doughnuts, and breakfast cake with wine.

There will be multiple tables on the patio for booking that are spaced out to allow for proper social distancing. Sales will open every Wednesday, and people can pre-order for pick up on Thursday-Sunday. Guests can book online if they would like to sit on the patio. There will be a movie of the week shown outside at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday.

See this weekends menu below, then check lous website for future offerings. Hours for lou sur place are Thursday-Saturday 12 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12 until 4 p.m.

1304 McGavock Pike, , TN 37216 (615) 730-6273

Read more from the original source:
East Nashvilles Lou Returns This Weekend With Socially Distanced Patio Picnics - Eater Nashville