Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ordered a three-tiered plan to lift the stay-at-home orders starting Monday, but as businesses reopen owners and customers are feeling a range of emotions from elation to trepidation. (May 4) AP Domestic As the first phase of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step, Plan for Florida’s Recovery“ began Monday, the doors of some of Tallahassee’s businesses re-opened to customers. But it was anything but business as usual. On the city’s north side, Island Wing Company was a popular choice for lunch. “We had I’d say almost a normal Monday,” Osborne said. “And Monday’s usually our slowest day.” Under DeSantis’ instruction, restaurants are permitted to serve customers with outdoor seating with 6-foot spacing between tables and indoor seating at 25% capacity. Osborne estimated that their 25% capacity was nearly reached during lunchtime, equaling about 50 seats in the 200 seat eatery. “We were happy to see that,” Osborne said. All of the restaurant’s employees are required to wear masks and customers are provided with hands-free hand sanitizer pumps at each point of entry and bathrooms. Staff is also provided with their own hand sanitizer to use in addition to hand washing. “Three months ago if you told me that we were going to see a 75% reduction in what we were allowed to have in here, I’d be like ‘That’s going to kill us,’ but….” Osborne said. “Failure’s not an option. We’ll figure out some other way around this and make it work.” Osborne said he thinks Island Wing Company’s large outdoor seating area and open floor plan will allow customers to feel more comfortable patronizing the restaurant. A Madison Social server wears an N95 mask while working in the restaurant’s full patio area on its first day back open for seated service Monday, May 4, […]
