Local Restaurateur Weighs In on COVID-19 Restaurant Policies

Local restaurant owners are bracing themselves to receive the green light to open doors again after adjusting to curbside and delivery services. However, once the state moves into Phase 2, there are still stipulations and adjustments for restaurants due to the pandemic.

Governor Inslee has issued a handful of guidelines for restaurants to reopen in Phase 2, including voluntary contact information for tracing and occupancy capped at under 50% capacity.

"You have to remember restaurants are built with large seating capacities...so that the money is made on the floor, tableside," said Shon Smith, Wok About, Leavenworth and Wenatchee, owner. "When we have restaurants that have 70-80% of square footage set up to be seated, then your costs are very, very high when you exclude that seating."

Smith added restaurant owners have to adjust costs to the same ratio as available seating space.

"What is that going to do to the bottom line when you're trying to pay the bills with such a low customer count and low customer turnover? When you take into account the square footage not being used that you're still responsible for, you're still paying rent on, the numbers can't line up," said Smith.