Karen Geiger, owner of Anthony's Salon in Green Township, sanitizes her salon on Thursday, May 14, 2020. After being shut down for weeks to battle the pandemic, Anthonys will open at 9 a.m. on Friday with extended hours and strict new rules. (Photo: Meg Vogel/ The Enquirer)

Today in Ohio, you can enjoy a meal or a beer on a restaurant patio.

And finally finally you can get that haircut you so desperately need.

After being shut down for weeks to battle the novel coronavirus pandemic, Ohio is moving forward with its plan to slowly reopen the states economy.

Nonessential retail stores reopened on Tuesday.

Today, hair and nail salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors, spas and outdoor dining get their turn.

I have been working on reopening ever since the day we closed, said Karen Geiger, owner of Anthonys Salon in Green Township.

Anthonys will open at 9 a.m. on Friday with extended hours, but like at many salons throughout the state, there are strict new rules. The salon is operating at 50% capacity, using five stations instead of 10.

Masks are required for employees and clients (Geiger has free, disposable masks if anyone comes without).

Karen Geiger, owner of Anthony's Salon in Green Township, said I have been working on reopening ever since the day we closed.(Photo: Meg Vogel/ The Enquirer)

Clients are asked to come alone and wait outside for their appointments. Theyll get their temperature taken and hands sanitized.

Payments are supposed to be by credit card, if possible.

And, at least for a short while, Anthonys isnt doing shampoos or blow dries, asking instead for clients to come with their hair already clean.

Were going to get some people who are going to think this is the craziest thing ever, Geiger said, but my staff knows, and I want our clients to know, that their safety and our safety is the No. 1 priority. I dont want anybody to get sick here.

Karen Geiger, owner of Anthony's Salon in Green Township, sanitizes her salon on Thursday, May 14, 2020. After being shut down for weeks to battle the pandemic, Anthonys will open at 9 a.m. on Friday with extended hours and strict new rules. (Photo: Meg Vogel/ The Enquirer)

The novel coronavirus has killed more than 1,400 people in Ohio, and Gov. Mike DeWine and Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton have cautioned that just because the economy is starting to reopen does not mean the virus has gone away.

In fact, an Enquirer analysis of Cincinnatis daily coronavirus reports found that the 14-day average of new reported cases is as high as its ever been.

But, with 1.1 million unemployment claims in Ohio since mid-March, many are eager to see stores and restaurants back open for business.

Perhaps the best thing will be for everyone to try to take care of each other, said Rhonda DeWine, who owns Salon Rhonda on the Hyde Park square. DeWine is married to Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine, who is Gov. Mike DeWine's son.

Salon Rhonda is following many of the same precautions as other salons masks, extra sanitizing, social distancing, staggered appointments and contactless payments via smartphone apps. But aside from all that, Rhonda DeWine said, people need to check themselves before they go out. And if they have any symptoms, they need to just stay home.

Salon Rhonda has been freshly painted and sanitized in anticipation of reopening. Its spotless right now, said owner Rhonda DeWine. Basically, it looks like the day I opened it.(Photo: Provided)

Just use common sense, she said. I hope I dont have to tell you, if you have a fever, dont come into my hair salon.

Since the date for salons reopening was announced, DeWines phone has been ringing nonstop, she said. Wednesday morning, her voicemail was full, and by 10:45 a.m. that day, she had already taken 45 calls for appointments.

Im looking at probably doing nothing with my life other than cutting hair for the next couple weeks, she said. People Ive never spoken to are like, Oh, my God, I have to have a haircut.

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The National Weather Service is forecasting rain and thunderstorms for Friday.

And on Saturday, more rain and thunderstorms.

And on Sunday?

You guessed it. Rain and thunderstorms.

So, its possible the weather will put a damper on restaurants and bars trying to reopen patio service.

If it rains, that would be really unfortunate, said Jean-Franois Flechet, the Taste of Belgium owner who is scrambling to figure out how to open his locations in Over-the-Rhine, The Banks and at the Rookwood Commons in Norwood.

Flechet has applied with the city to have expanded patio seating at his restaurants part of a plan to take portions of some streets to allow for more outdoor seating but hes not sure if approval on that as well as rental contracts for extra tables will come through in time.

Regardless, Taste of Belgiums patios at Rookwood Commons and The Banks will be open, and Taste of Belgium will be doing carryout from those locations as well, just like it has throughout the pandemic.

The restaurants will have limited menus, Flechet said, since its basically like starting from scratch with inventory.

Everything is very last minute, he said. The governor last week took everybody by surprise, so were trying to see what we can do to make it happen.

Taste of Belgium is placing signs at its restaurants to remind diners of the new rules.(Photo: Provided)

On one hand, Flechet is excited to reopen. On the other, hes wary of restaurants new role in policing social distancing and other health requirements. At Taste of Belgium, that means only one person per party should visit the hostess stand to check in. Customers should wait outside until their table is ready and wear masks until theyre seated.

When people dont want to follow those rules, Flechet isnt sure how its going to go.

The whole concept of hospitality is changing, he said. Before, our attitude toward the guest was, The answer is, Yes. What is the question? And we can no longer do that. We need to be there to enforce the rules and some people dont like that.

Betsy Eicher, left, with her brother-in-law Randy Reichelderfer at their Urban Grill food truck. Urban Grill also has a sit-down restaurant on Main Street in Newtown.(Photo: The Enquirer/ Liz Dufour)

Betsy Eicher is also concerned about restaurants new role as enforcers. But the owner of Urban Grill in Newtown feels prepared and ready to go for Friday.

Urban Grill has two covered decks, so Eicher is not worried about the weather.

And the decks are spacious enough that, even with social distancing requirements, Eicher thinks she can seat about 40% of her usual capacity.

Per Ohios guidelines, groups are limited to 10, and Eicher plans to only take one group that large per evening, reserved in advance and paid upfront.

The rest of the tables will be first-come, first served.

Customers will be asked to wait in their cars until their table is ready, but they can get a drink at the bar that has been moved outside.

Eicher is excited to reopen, and she thinks diners are going to be eager, too.

Weve been getting a lot of emails, a lot of requests for the big table, she said. Ive already had to turn people down, even my sister.

LaRosa's Pizzeria(Photo: The Enquirer/Jennie Key)

Just like with retail stores, many of which remained closed even after they were allowed to reopen on Tuesday, some salons and restaurants are choosing to wait it out.

Susan Selzer, co-owner of Arthurs pub in Hyde Park, said she probably wont open on Friday if it rains.

And LaRosa's Pizzeria restaurants, which have been doing well with carryout and delivery, will open sometime after Memorial Day.

Were not in a big hurry, said CEO Mike LaRosa. We want to ease into it and do it safely.

Spruce Nail Shop in Over-the-Rhine is planning to open its books on May 18 for appointments starting June 1, according to its Facebook page.

And while no one answered the phone at multiple Great Clips locations in Greater Cincinnati on Wednesday, a company spokeswoman said the stores will be opened over the next week or two as staff are trained on new policies and procedures.

A voicemail at some of the stores says theyll be reopening on Sunday.

The message reminds customers theyll have to wait outside or in their car until its their turn for a cut.

Please bring a mask, it says. We look forward to safely serving you.

What is reopening on Friday?

Hair salons, barbershops, day spas, nail salons, tanning salons, and tattoo and body piercing parlors are all allowed to open on Friday, as are outdoor areas at bars and restaurants.

Will everything be open?

No. Just like with retail, some owners might have a plan to open later. If youre planning to visit a specific place, its best to call ahead. With salons, many arent taking walk-ins, anyway.

If its food youre after, The Enquirer has a list of bars and restaurants whose patios will be open for business on Friday.

Can I eat inside at a restaurant?

No.

Friday is for patio dining only. Indoor dining in Ohio reopens on May 21.

Do I need to wear a mask?

Maybe.

Masks in Ohio are recommended for customers but not required. Still, the rules could vary at a particular location, and some may require masks.

Masks for employees are required, but there are exceptions.

What about Kentucky?

Kentucky's schedule for reopening is different than Ohio's. Retail stores in Kentucky open on May 20 followed by restaurants on May 22. Restaurants can open at 33% of capacity indoors but unlimited capacity outdoors provided social distancing guidelines are met.

However, for Northern Kentucky residents, there is nothing to stop them from visiting stores, restaurants and salonsin Ohio.

Anything else I need to know?

Social distancing is still mandatory in Ohio, meaning there should be at least six feet between people at all times. That will mean new rules and norms. Businesses will likely be taking extra precautions, and that means you may have to wait a little longer for a table or a haircut.

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Salons and restaurant patios are open today in Ohio. Heres what you need to know. - The Cincinnati Enquirer

Royal Docks Brewing Co. in Canton got its online ordering platform for food and beer rolled out just one day after being required to shut down because of the pandemic. That, coupled with a markdown of six- and four-packs, led to strong to-go sales. But that revenue only goes so far. In recent weeks, the carryout activity has died down.

Royal Docks laid off 62 of its 72 employees but has since hired some folks back, thanks to a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan. It plans to reopen the patio at its flagship brewhouse, but losses have been steep. The brewery destroyed "quite a bit" of beer, founder John Bikis said, including some "heavy-hitter brands" like Backyard Crusher, because only so much could be packaged at once. A surplus built up without restaurants, stadiums and events buying kegs. About 200 barrels worth of Backyard Crusher alone went down the drain none of which is covered by insurance.

It's upsetting for Bikis, whose business was named one of the fastest-growing breweries in the country in 2018. Since then, Royal Docks has expanded into its Brewhouse + Cannery adjacent to its flagship facility which features a large event space that Bikis estimated has lost at least $200,000 so far in canceled parties for weddings and graduations and opened a satellite bar/restaurant at the Akron-Canton Airport. The grand opening of its latest facility, the Foeder House + Kitchen, developed as part of the downtown Akron Bowery redevelopment project, is being pushed back to early June at the soonest.

Royal Docks' flagship brewhouse has sizable outdoor seating, and Bikis procured a tent in hopes guests will come even if it's raining. More important are the myriad safety precautions being put in place, of course. Bikis remains anxious about how reopening could go.

"We're trying to open and do so in a meaningful, safe way with the uncertainty of not knowing who's going to come out, how many people we will be able to host and whether it'll be enough to pay bills and the staff that'll be there," he said. "We've made it to this point, but what worries me is the uncertainty and the unknowns of how customers are going to react."

A couple days before opening on May 15, Bikis said there was still a lot to sort out, particularly with optional guidelines. He feels plastic barriers won't do much good and is forgoing those inside. But a contactless menu and ordering system that works with smartphones has been developed.

Customer behavior is something that concerns him.

"What if someone is shaking hands, or hugging, or moves a chair placed in one location to another because they want to be closer to someone? It's difficult for business owners and staff because there's a fine line of telling people how to behave," he said. "It's a dilemma."

Bikis said Royal Docks has been making about 35%-40% of what it normally would in recent months. He'll feel fortunate to make half as much this month as he did in May 2019.

As with others, May 15 is a litmus test for how reopening indoors May 21 could work and a gauge for whether it could be financially worthwhile.

"At the end of the day," Bikis said, "we have the green light to be open, and we're in a business of being open, so we're going to open. And that means taking all the necessary precautions to be safe for everyone."

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Craft brewers weigh pros and cons of relaunching patios, taprooms - Crain's Cleveland Business

Some restaurant patrons took advantage of the first day to dine outside Friday in downtown Kent.

Although quite a few restaurants had outdoor tables set up for diners, only a few establishments had diners around lunchtime.

Paninis in Kent, which is known for outdoor dining predating COVID-19 that features an indoor/outdoor bar and an outdoor fireplace in the winter, seemed to have the most traffic in Kent and Ravenna around lunchtime Friday.

"Opening day was so exciting so we just had to take part," said Kent State University student Gretchen Schurman, who dined with two friends. "Going out to eat is a big part of our lives."

Andy Somich, general manager at Paninis in Kent, acknowledged that the restaurants history of outdoor dining probably helped bolster traffic.

"Everyone says we have the best patio around," he said, adding it has 26 outdoor tables after accounting for social distancing. "We probably took about 10 to 12 tables out of there."

He said traffic "was very steady out of the gate. We opened up at 11 oclock. People were just starving to get outside to a restaurant."

Carl Picelle, owner of the Franklin Square Deli, said hes been offering carry-out food throughout the business shut-down, but hes happy to be open so business can gear up again.

"Weve been moderately busy," he said. "Our community supported us pretty well. Weve been going for 38 years."

Mike Mikula was among the outdoor diners at the Franklin Avenue Deli around lunchtime.

"We were in Kent and decided to come down and get a sandwich from Carl," he said, referring to himself as "one of the endangered species."

He also said he has confidence Picelle has taken all the necessary safety precautions to make sure he and other diners are as safe as possible.

Sandy Knotek, owner of Tavern 1888 in Ravenna, said she was prepared well ahead of time for outdoor service to begin.

"Weve been ready and waiting," she said earlier this week. "Ive already done all the precautionary stuff we have to do."

Others in Kent arent opening yet, including Barflyy, according to general manager AliviaBrisbin.

"We are actually not open today," she said Friday morning. "Were kind of playing it by ear to see how busy downtown is and to see if we can have enough work to pay our bills and our employees."

Don Smith, owner of Mimis Italian Grill and Bar in Ravenna, said he had a couple small parties one for six and one for two scheduled for Friday evening but hadnt yet reopened the restaurant for outdoor dining. Instead, he plans to open May 21.

Mimis has been offering carry-out and delivery to older diners since the stay-at-home order was issued.

"We were vacillating when this first started, but I was afraid if we shut down wed never get open again," he said. "Weve done OK. I appreciate everything the community has done."

Carry-out diners have been particularly generous, tipping for a service that usually wouldnt merit a tip, he added.

"I think were gonna be swamped when this thing opens up," he added. "I think people are tired of [the stay-at-home order]."

Reporter Bob Gaetjens can be reached at 330-620-8786, bgaetjens@recordpub.comor @bobgaetjens_rpc.

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Diners take to the patios - Record-Courier

It was a Victoria Day long weekend like no other: there was both sunshine and physical distancing.

On Friday, The Forks Market reopened with a soft launch, welcoming visitors back to the historic site after being closed for almost two months. Although the parkade was barricaded, motorists trickled into the other available lots.

An attendant greeted visitors walking in to the market hall with a spritz of sanitizer on their hands. Portions of the building were closed off with dividers, funnelling guests toward the open vendors and retailers, then back outdoors to the outdoor patio area operated by The Common.

Sara Stasiuk, a spokesperson for The Forks, said the reopening has gone smoothly so far.

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Patios, pizza and distancing as businesses open for long weekend - CBC.ca

Two days before Virginia was set to reopen in Phase One on Friday, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority announced that businesses can temporarily accelerate the process of expanding their outdoor dining areas to sell alcohol, which could boost revenue for restaurants whose sales have plummeted due to the pandemic.

For some restaurants, which need to provide a diagram for the outdoor expansion upon request before opening, the new ABC permit process is tricky and requires locality, property owner and health department approval. Its not clear how long this process takes and some counties, such as Chesterfield, are still finalizing its permitting process.

Henrico County Planning Director Joe Emerson said the county is working toward fast tracking approval as well.

These loosened regulations rely heavily on locality discretion, which means they dont apply to the City of Richmond, which requested a delay to Phase One reopening due to the continued increase of cases and hospitalizations and was granted the delay by Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday evening. This also means Richmond restaurants cannot offer patio dining without doing so illegally.

But some Richmond restaurants, such as Mama Js, were not going to reopen because they do not have a patio or the ability to expand dining areas onto a sidewalk or parking lot. Mama Js has minimal sidewalk space as it is, owner Lester Johnson said. While Johnson agrees rolling back ABC regulations is good for business, he said what drives his decisions is thinking about the safety of his 3-year-old daughter Lena and 73-year-old mother, not the potential of making money.

Neighboring counties, however, such as Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico are moving forward with reopening Friday.

Justin McDonald, co-owner of Crafted in Henrico County, said his restaurant is set to open its 1,000-square-foot patio Friday with six tables and a maximum of 30 people.

Although he understands the reasoning behind ABC easing regulations, he said its advantageous only to businesses capable of having space to expand. As for reopening, only the host will disinfect tables and customers will pay through their phone to limit interaction.

Its hard for a server to wrap their head around because youre used to lingering for a minute, McDonald said, adding that itll be an adjustment for customers to see servers with face masks on. You kind of have to move forward optimistically and responsibly.

Other restaurants in the county, such as Grapevine on Three Chopt Road, have a parking lot that can hold a sizable tent. Since the restaurant owns the lands, moving forward required configuring the layout: a 40-by-45 foot tent with 16 tables scattered more than six feet apart.

But owner Mitchell Trak is confused on Phase One guidelines, which said restaurants can be at 50% of outdoor capacity. Grapevine didnt have one prior to the pandemic. With every table filled, its outdoor seating could reach 60 patrons. Occupancy is part of fire safety code in Virginia and is used for indoor spaces. Patios dont have occupancy restrictions, so restaurants are doing their best.

Weve taken it on the lighter end right now. Im kind of afraid that we are not quite prepared for this turnaround, Trak said.

County administrators said in a combined statement to the governor Thursday that businesses have sufficient amounts of protective equipment, with each county supplying sanitizer and cleaning products for safety. The statement alleged that residents are depending on Phase One for work, and businesses are at the point of choosing whether to close permanently.

Without a regional consensus, some residents were concerned people who commute across localities can be both at risk and contribute to community transmission if asymptomatic.

In a press briefing Thursday, Chesterfield Health District Director Dr. Alexander Samuel said that based on the public health data, hes not concerned with Chesterfield reopening.

As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Chesterfield Health District, which includes Powahatan and Colonial Heights, had 1,005 cases with 909 of them in Chesterfield County. Cases and hospitalizations continue to increase. Richmond, which is not reopening, has 611 cases.

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Virginia ABC will temporarily allow restaurants to expand patios - at least in localities opening in Phase One - Richmond.com

STAUNTON, Va. (WVIR) On Friday, restaurants can reopen their patios or any outdoor seating at 50% capacity, with social distancing measures in place, but Chef Ian Boden, who owns The Shack in Staunton, is choosing not to.

Boden says his patio is small and it just doesnt make sense to bring wait staff in to serve a handful of customers provided the weather is good. But, Boden says his bigger concern is safety. Its a sentiment Boden says is shared by most of his friends in the industry.

"I feel that as soon as people are able to dine, people from other markets that are having a higher concentration of infection will end up coming here," Boden stated. "And, I feel like that puts my town and my staff at risk."

The Shack will begin providing curbside pick-up this Friday. There will be a limited menu and cocktails-to-go available on Fridays and Saturdays.

Many downtown Staunton restaurants do not have space for any outdoor dining, but several others including, the 101, also plan to open back up for pickup and delivery on May 15.

As of May 15, Staunton has 34 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

See the article here:
Restaurant owner in the Valley says it's unsafe to reopen patios during COVID-19 crisis - WHSV

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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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