Some restaurants across the region are reopening dining rooms this week, while others are more hesitant, as COVID-19 closure and distancing guidelines are loosened across the state and nation.
Tennessee restaurants that plan to reopen are making moves to follow the 50% capacity measure ordered by Gov. Bill Lee last week.
Lee said that restaurants could open at half capacity beginning Monday in 89 of Tennessee’s 95 counties while leaving the six largest counties to make their own decisions. Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger decided to follow the governor’s guidelines.
In Cleveland, Tennessee, two popular longtime eateries are taking different paths, with Jenkins Restaurant & Deli reopening Monday at 11 a.m. after preparing Sunday, while the Bald-Headed Bistro’s owners say it’s too soon.
In a social media post that thanked patrons for their ongoing support, the bistro’s Facebook page read, in part, “This past month has been an unreal experience in all of our lives & businesses. We are eager to participate in restarting our economy – however, in respect to our guests and employees, we feel that it is a bit too soon to resume ‘business as usual.’