'We don't like turning people away,' Restaurant owners want capacity limits removed
Restaurant owners across Simcoe County anxiously await news from Premier Doug Ford that would put them on an even playing field with large venues with no capacity limits.
Hog and Penny Pub owner Paul Raymond said his Orillia business reported roughly $100,000 in losses because he's had to cut the number of patrons allowed indoors in half.
"Everyone is vaccinated. Everybody that comes through the door, all the staff, it's a bubble of vaccinated people. So how much better can we get it?" Raymond asked.
Like many business owners, Raymond is frustrated with the differing treatment for small businesses like his and big facilities, like the ACC or Rogers Centre, that are now allowed to be at full capacity.
Raymond said he's frustrated that he has had to refuse patrons entry.
"Thursday nights are a trivia night. Big, very popular. We will turn as many people away as we have inside, and those are paying customers," he added.
Just down the road from the pub is Angela Brown's 125 Breakfast Club.
The small eatery's seating capacity is down from 32 to 24.
"As the weather changes, we need indoor seating, so as a small business owner, the more, the merrier. We don't like turning people away," she said.
Brown said it's unfair that the government has drawn a line between restaurants and larger operations.
"I think it's time," she said. "This has been going on long enough."
The customer caps also impact most gyms and fitness centres.
While the staff at CrossFit in Orillia hope the restrictions lift for the industry as a whole, owner Matt Spencer said his is one facility that isn't planning to return to big numbers indoors.
Even though his centre can hold up to 22 people under the fire code, Spencer said too many people in the small space could get crowded. "So we operate with classes of up to 12 people, and that allows for more than appropriate physical distancing."
Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman threw his support behind the restaurant sector with a letter to Ford urging the premier to lift capacity limits for an already struggling industry.
The mayor added that if limits are eased for the more than 400 restaurants in the city, the province should offer new financial support for those impacted.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.