'We’re going to need extra hands': Local restaurants prepare for patio season
Hiring is underway at local restaurants for what's expected to be a busy summer of outdoor dining, as Ontario inches closer to phase one of its reopening plan that would allow patios to operate.
On Friday afternoon, empty patios line King Street in Kitchener. In any normal year, the area would be bustling with outdoor diners.
“It's a ghost town,” said Shaina Schlegel, manager at Bobby O’Brien’s. “This is so crazy, we’re used to having lots of people on our patio.”
However, behind the scenes, local restaurants are picking up steam. Many are hiring and rehiring staff for what’s expected to be a busy summer.
During the shutdown, Bobby O’Brien’s also gave its patio a facelift, getting rid of the volleyball court in favour of 15 new patio tables.
“We want this to be a safe experience for everyone, an enjoyable experience. We're so excited to have people back out here,” said Schlegel.
Bobby O'Brien's is preparing for a busy patio dining season. (Tegan Versolatto/CTV Kitchener)
On Tuesday, Health Minister Christine Elliott said she understands that people are anxious to move into Step 1 and they are waiting for a decision on whether that timeline can be pushed up by a few days.
Currently, that phase of the reopening is set to happen on June 14. It would allow outdoor dining with up to four people per table and other restrictions, although it’s unclear if patio capacity limits will be set.
“Restaurant owners, operators are anxious to get going again and our trends are heading in the right direction,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, medical officer of health for Waterloo Region.
Industry professionals know one thing is for certain, once they get the green light it will be all hands on deck.
“With what we experienced last summer, we're going to need extra summer hands. Not just our usual staff,” explained Red House general manager Ainsley Szvitak.
Red House in Uptown Waterloo plans to hire up to 20 new employees, although the last lockdown has demonstrated the futility of planning.
“We were open for one week, then you have to pivot again. So, I think we're proceeding with a little bit more caution this time, but still trying to be prepared as possible for a busy summer,” added Szvitak.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.