Prestige Vernon Lodge expanded patio (photo credit: Kevin Rothwell / Vernon Matters)

By Kevin Rothwell

Big effort to keep going

Bars and restaurants innovating to deal with dine-in closure

Apr 9, 2021 | 12:00 PM

There are tables in parking lots, on sidewalks and all kinds of various scenarios to comply with B.C.’s public health orders banning indoor dining until at least April 19.

Businesses with patios have made maximum effort to open early, offer heaters and blankets, and those without patios have swung into action to create spaces for their customers.

At the Prestige Vernon Lodge, the covered drop-off area for hotel guests has been converted into an extension of the patio for Don Cherry’s Sports Bar, and The Kal Hotel has made a similar effort using fences and canopies. Just a few examples of the dozens of eateries and bars that have made adjustments.

Kal Hotel outdoor patio (photo credit: Kevin Rothwell / Vernon Matters)

There are Facebook pages with lists of restaurants and bars with patios and lots of encouragement to support local restaurants through take-out and delivery.

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“With the shutting down of our local restaurants, we need to continue to support our restaurants, especially those dining restaurants, some small, some large. I hope we get that message out, because I don’t see April 19 as a date when we will see those re-open. I think it’s going to be a lot longer, perhaps the end of May,” Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Chair Akbal Mund told his colleagues at this week’s board meeting.

A stretch of warm sunny warm weather is also expected to help with the patio business for fair weather diners.

14-day weather trend for Vernon. (photo credit: The Weather Network)

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce has been pushing hard on its ‘Mission Possible’ campaign and other buy local initiatives.

“I want to commend all those restaurants that did pivot so quickly. I’ve see it happen all around town, there are a lot of outdoor patios, so good on you. I have seen an awful lot of support from business in the community as well supporting those restaurants as well. I have seen a lot of large orders for take-out from other businesses,” Chamber Executive Director Dan Proulx said. “Kudos to the city as well. I have heard from a lot of those businesses that have outdoor patios, that the process to get them approved has been swift and easy.”

A new provincial government program providing grants of up to $10,000 to help with expenses like wages, rent and maintenance is also expected to help the struggling sector.