coronavirus discussion

[ImportPsycho]

drove by local pub today,
I've been in there before, and know the size, judging by full parking lot + street parked cars, I have no idea how they are keeping distance inside...

[Ch28]

Originally Posted by ImportPsycho

drove by local pub today,
I've been in there before, and know the size, judging by full parking lot + street parked cars, I have no idea how they are keeping distance inside...

Narrator: “They’re not”

[Nlkko]

Originally Posted by Jmac

Some businesses (not just restaurants) have been adding a COVID-19 surcharge/fee, a tactic that likely makes it easier to fend off accusations of price gouging than simply raising their prices.

This fees makes sense if they have clear distancing guidelines: reduce capacity = reduce revenue and PPE cost. You'll see a lot of businesses do this or simply go bust. 6ft = a lot of space not being used while paying the same rent.

Big chain will come out of this pandemic winning big as they can afford it while not raising prices.

[winson604]

The covid charge is what it is but I take issues with places that are charging it but then are making their employees bring their own PPE and cleaning supplies i.e. the hair salon inside Richmond Centre. So the charge in this case is just to offset revenue they lost. Real winners!

[unit]

Originally Posted by Nlkko

This fees makes sense if they have clear distancing guidelines: reduce capacity = reduce revenue and PPE cost. You'll see a lot of businesses do this or simply go bust. 6ft = a lot of space not being used while paying the same rent.

Big chain will come out of this pandemic winning big as they can afford it while not raising prices.

i don't have a problem with places charging for PPE and supply related expenses, but i prob wouldn't visit too many places if they were charging extra to make up for lost business during covid. if your business is down 50%, can you really expect customers to come in and pay 50% more?

[Spoon]

Are these extra charges being snuck in or are they usually upfront about it? Hate to have to dispute these if it's a surprise.

[inv4zn]

Originally Posted by Spoon

Are these extra charges being snuck in or are they usually upfront about it? Hate to have to dispute these if it's a surprise.

If they're not upfront about it then just don't go back.

My hairdresser told me before I even sat down that it'll be more because they are spending more time cleaning/sanitizing stuff, plexiglass and PPE, etc.

[Manic!]

Costco Nanaimo now has complimentary face masks for customers and an employee told me face masks will be mandatory next week.

[Obsideon]

Originally Posted by Hondaracer

First dine out experience this morning at Yolks, fairly average time seats were staggered with every other table open not many people came and went while we were there

Still virtually impossible to maintain 6 feet as you go to and from the bathroom but I guess this is somthing you have to accept because many restaurants will not be able to open period if you had to maintain 6 feet everywhere throughout

Our restaurant just opened for dine-in this week. It's been a super rough couple months. Luckily our space is big enough to maintain proper distancing but it's still a challenge when our capacity is 200 but only allowed 40 customers now.

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

Went to Crescent Beach this Saturday and dined out on a patio in the cool cloudy weather. I think I'll be fine doing only this for a few more weeks. Too bad most Asian restaurants don't have patios. Can't wait for my Pho/Ramen/Beef Noodle fix. Takeout sucks for those, we need to open up the streets for some Al Fresco dining, Viet style:

Plug time haha ... both our patios are now open a bit of a pain for me to run to both patios by myself, been really short on staff too

Originally Posted by ImportPsycho

drove by local pub today,
I've been in there before, and know the size, judging by full parking lot + street parked cars, I have no idea how they are keeping distance inside...

I drove down Davie and Denman a couple days ago. The Liquor store by the Burger King looks like a rave party outside, witnessed a fight too. Lots of pent up anger around town.
The British pub on the corner was packed and Score on Davie also had a bunch of people outside huddled together. Even the Greek food was busy, they had a row of tables put together outside with a group of 12 middle-eastern men sitting together. I'm assuming most of these people just came down from English Bay. Zero social distancing, seems there isn't enough manpower to crack down on all these shops not following protocol.
It's really sad to see and I really hope we don't get a second wave but it's not looking good the way these places are operating...

Originally Posted by Nlkko

This fees makes sense if they have clear distancing guidelines: reduce capacity = reduce revenue and PPE cost. You'll see a lot of businesses do this or simply go bust. 6ft = a lot of space not being used while paying the same rent.

It's definitely increased our cost of operation by a lot, buying bucket-loads of sanitizers and hundreds of masks. Extra hand spraying stations, printing extra menus, etc... all the while trying to keep the prices reasonable. Not to mention the minimum wage increase again on June 1st.

[Mr.Money]

i wonder if retail or food industry Rent is still the same?


float or fucking sink,Pal.

[Ch28]

Originally Posted by Obsideon

It's definitely increased our cost of operation by a lot, buying bucket-loads of sanitizers and hundreds of masks. Extra hand spraying stations, printing extra menus, etc... all the while trying to keep the prices reasonable. Not to mention the minimum wage increase again on June 1st.

Can't restaurants just print menus and place them underneath the glass of the table like how some Hong Kong cafes do it? It'll cut down on costs and wastage since every customer will be able to read the menu without actually touching it

[Manic!]

Originally Posted by Ch28

Can't restaurants just print menus and place them underneath the glass of the table like how some Hong Kong cafes do it? It'll cut down on costs and wastage since every customer will be able to read the menu without actually touching it

Lots or restaraunts don't have glass or have menus to large to fit.

[TOS'd]

Originally Posted by Ch28

Can't restaurants just print menus and place them underneath the glass of the table like how some Hong Kong cafes do it? It'll cut down on costs and wastage since every customer will be able to read the menu without actually touching it

Random idea, why not have a QR code that directs you to a PDF menu/restaurant website menu. Everyone has their own phone and now they won't need to touch a menu. If someone isn't able to, then you can provide them with a menu. At least this would cut down the amount of physical menus being used.

[westopher]

We will be doing that for the most part. No QR code but link on the window before you come in. We will have disposable menus for those that are unable to go that route for any reason.

[GLOW]

will it be easier to have meus up front and "pay first" similar to Nando's? that way no menus needed, you just look up at the screen, order, get a number and go sit and wait for your food?

[Hondaracer]

Originally Posted by GLOW

will it be easier to have meus up front and "pay first" similar to Nando's? that way no menus needed, you just look up at the screen, order, get a number and go sit and wait for your food?

Uhg if that’s what we get to it’s gonna be rough.

Recently listened to Bourdains “Medium Raw” book, and the first few chapters reference the 2008 financial crisis relative to restaurants but ALOT of it is applicable to today’s situation

Basically saying the bullshit will fail, there is always room and demand for top tier, top quality, and top service.

While I don’t wish ill upon anyone there are some places I wouldn’t mind seeing never returning as they have consistently provided poor service, bad experiences, etc

[westopher]

I hope that this does a clear out of some of the restaurants. While I don’t wish the financial damage to the people that own them (except in cases of places that operate so poorly that they risk diners health) but maybe it’s a chance for people to reconsider spending their money at restaurants that give “ok” experiences. Almost every time I go out I’m like “fuck that was awesome.” It’s really not that hard to find but I still hear so many people keep going to the same places and being like “yeah it’s ok.” If it’s just ok fucking go somewhere better! Yeah it might be more expensive but paying $100 for an amazing experience 4x a month makes a lot more sense than paying $80 for an ok experience 5x a month.

[Obsideon]

Originally Posted by Ch28

Can't restaurants just print menus and place them underneath the glass of the table like how some Hong Kong cafes do it? It'll cut down on costs and wastage since every customer will be able to read the menu without actually touching it

That's an idea, however investing in multiple 4x4 pieces of tempered glass ain't gonna be cheap either. Not to mention I don't see places like Le Crocodile placing them on top of their white table cloths lol

Originally Posted by TOS'd

Random idea, why not have a QR code that directs you to a PDF menu/restaurant website menu. Everyone has their own phone and now they won't need to touch a menu. If someone isn't able to, then you can provide them with a menu. At least this would cut down the amount of physical menus being used.

Yeah we do have it posted on the front to check out our menu on the website but most people still requested physical menus.

Originally Posted by westopher

I hope that this does a clear out of some of the restaurants. While I don’t wish the financial damage to the people that own them (except in cases of places that operate so poorly that they risk diners health) but maybe it’s a chance for people to reconsider spending their money at restaurants that give “ok” experiences. Almost every time I go out I’m like “fuck that was awesome.” It’s really not that hard to find but I still hear so many people keep going to the same places and being like “yeah it’s ok.” If it’s just ok fucking go somewhere better! Yeah it might be more expensive but paying $100 for an amazing experience 4x a month makes a lot more sense than paying $80 for an ok experience 5x a month.

I've been trying to keep up with the restaurant news, a couple of my old faves are not reopening which is sad. Our industry is already tough enough as it was with low margins now it's borderline impossible.

[Obsideon]

Also I already had a feeling about this but I noticed especially on the first few days of opening, all the customers that came to eat were people that never took COVID seriously in the first place. I just chatted with some of them to shoot the shits and a couple of them actually said "This virus shit is a joke, of all my connections of friends and family nobody got sick. I was partying at the beach all the time and I'm fine" ... meanwhile being in the service industry I had to put on a smile but inside I'm like

[Hondaracer]

Man can’t wait to get back to Le Croc

[MarkyMark]

Realistically how long can any restaurant last under these new rules? For the people here who own one, if this went on for a couple of years would you be able to stay open?

It's also disappointing to hear that a lot of the people dining out are the ones who are all 'thug life' about Covid, makes me not want to go lol.

[westopher]

If it goes longer than 4 months. I’d say over 90% of dine in focused restaurants will close unless landlords play ball. It’s in their best interest too, as nothing will go in if they don’t.

[G0rilla]

Originally Posted by TypeRNammer

The actual trick is when you order pho for to go, request for the noodles to be uncooked.

So when you arrive home, boil up the broth. Put the raw noodles into a bowl. Pour boiling soup on top of the noodles and in seconds it's ready to eat without the mushy texture.

Taking advice from a true nammer i'm gonna try this next time lol

[Hondaracer]

Heard a couple bro’s walking their pittys talking to two other strangers walking about how this was never that serious and the flu kills more people etc pretty sure the phrase “we ain’t scared” came up the the fellow strangers they were talking to whole heartedly agreed lol

[Obsideon]

Originally Posted by MarkyMark

Realistically how long can any restaurant last under these new rules? For the people here who own one, if this went on for a couple of years would you be able to stay open?

It's also disappointing to hear that a lot of the people dining out are the ones who are all 'thug life' about Covid, makes me not want to go lol.

A better question would be how long can the goverment help with subsidy? Without any support I would say 90% would go under by September.

Originally Posted by westopher

If it goes longer than 4 months. I’d say over 90% of dine in focused restaurants will close unless landlords play ball. It’s in their best interest too, as nothing will go in if they don’t.

Thing is most landlords are cut throat as it is. Most negotiations I've heard around town within the industry resulted in "deferred payments". There's already so many empty spaces along Robson even before the pandemic struck.