ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WXYZ) — The countdown is on for restaurants to be allowed to welcome dine-in customers, but people can expect to see some changes.
Owner of Mesa, Jenna Derrig, says the lockdown has given her time to make a plan for reopening.
“There’s excitement, there’s a little bit of nerves involved,” said Derrig.
It’s been so interesting to see what restaurant owners are thinking up! Jenna installed what she calls “the claw” inside restrooms. You can use your foot to open the door instead of having to touch the door handle. @MesaRoyalOak @wxyzdetroit https://t.co/0PFu9jZtIq pic.twitter.com/ftPF5LoeZm
— Ali Hoxie (@ali_hoxie) June 5, 2020
Inside, Mesa is now stocked with plenty of hand sanitizer, both at the door and on servers. Disposable face masks are available, and seating is limited so people can be six feet apart.
Derrig has also found a way to utilize technology so patrons do not have to touch menus.
“We are using a QR code that you can use on your own phone, so you can scroll you don’t have to worry about touching anything,” said Derrig.
They also have protocols in place for cleaning pens, credit cards, cash and bathrooms.
Even though Mesa and many other restaurants in Royal Oak will welcome people indoors, it does not mean every restaurant will follow suit. Lily’s Seafood will be taking a little extra time to work on their safety protocols and their menu.
Don't expect EVERY restaurant to be open Monday. @LilysSeafoodRO is going to take a little extra time to get ready before reopening for dine-in customers. Curbside pickup is still available. @wxyzdetroit https://t.co/sLlHHmrzch pic.twitter.com/0z2YZYqVCi
— Ali Hoxie (@ali_hoxie) June 5, 2020
“We want to make sure we have all the right protocols in place, that and the fact that we have to relook at our menu cause we are not sure if we can get all the same items in that we could before because some things are little bit restricted,” said Manager Liz Morton.
Lily’s Seafood will continue to offer curbside pickup, as well as Mesa.
Both restaurants are hopeful Royal Oak City Council will pass a resolution to allow for expanded seating. If “COVID-19 Temporary Use Permit” passes, it would allow seating to be expanded into parking spaces on city streets. City Council will be meeting on Monday night to discuss the resolution.
“We want to find out about that because we think customers are really going to enjoy dining outside right now also,” said Morton.
