Local restaurants struggle after reverting to Stage 2

By: Steeve Chwojko

After reverting to Stage 2, the Lake Simcoe Arms in Jackson’s Point is struggling, but the restaurant’s management is determined to continue. 

“Once you close the doors it’s hard to reopen; once we shut down, we are defeated,” said Becky Massey, front house manager. 

So far, the popular pub keeps a full menu; the patio is now equipped with powerful heaters, and the patrons are encouraged to bring their own blankets. 

The sign outside invites you to a Parka Party – we Canadians are not afraid of the cold. 

“We can carry on because of loyal customers; I know that some feel lonely, and the restaurant is a second home for them. True to the name of the restaurant, we shall take up arms and fight to stay open,” Ms. Massey said. 

Without much help from the government, small businesses must rely on their own resourcefulness, and on the community. 

Jane Farnham, a Sutton resident and a great supporter of local enterprises, came for lunch at the Lake Simcoe Arms. She said that banning indoor dining seems too harsh, especially since restaurants are adhering to strict measures. 

Charlie Young, general manager of the Mansion House, said that he hangs in because the community keeps him motivated. 

It’s easier to close than to keep open – he declared – but I don’t want to let my loyal customers down. 

“Recently, when it was warm and sunny, many patrons texted me, and I was forced to open the patio.” 

“It shows that we are like one big family, supporting each other in hard times. People want to get out of the house, to keep sane.” 

For now, however, the patio is closed, and the restaurant offers take-outs only, as Mr. Young tries to minimize loses.

For him installing and running heaters would be too expensive. He was also forced to lay off 10 employees, and to simplify the menu. He admits that financially he is not getting by very well. Bills keep coming, but cash flow is short.

He feels that the government did not do enough to save small hospitality businesses. He took out a loan but is worried he may not be able to repay it, because it will take years to rebuild his business. He thinks that the decision to close all indoor dining in York Region was not well thought through. He asks, why shut down the entire region, which is so diverse? Why not rather shut down by municipality? 

It seems that the majority of outbreaks happened at night clubs, places which sell a lot of alcohol. Perhaps family restaurants would be able to keep going if selling alcohol were banned. 

“My restaurant is licensed but I don’t need to sell alcohol to stay afloat,” he said. 

The co-owner of the Corner House Bistro, Vee Palenchuk, takes yet a different approach. Because there is no place for a patio at her restaurant, after consulting with staff, she decided to close for two weeks, and after that focus on take-outs and meat boxes. 

She admits that it is not really profitable but she is determined to stay in touch with the community. 

“I don’t think it was fair to ban indoor dining in Georgina, because we have had so few active cases, and we all stick to the correct protocols,” she said. 

“Now we’re being punished! Perhaps if they pass a law that when someone from outside Georgina wants to dine here, I can legally say ‘no’ without any repercussions.” 

Ms. Palenchuk took advantage of all available grants and loans, including wage subsidies, but she said the business is still not financially safe. Additional programs, she said, would be very helpful, maybe from local or even regional government; they should be more active in supporting small businesses in this crisis.

“We have a great community and I really hope that our restaurants can survive,” she said. 

“It’s going to be really sad if there’s a lot of closure, because most of the restaurants in town are not chains, but are ‘mom and pop’ businesses. It’s not just shutting the door. When this happens the entire family is devastated. And there are mortgages to pay. There’s a lot of loss that can happen, not just the loss of the business. It’s the loss of so much more.” 

Elaine Coates, the owner of Black River Coffee, saw the second wave coming, and secured heaters and a tent for her patio. 

She jokes that Canadians are used to cold weather, and she expects patrons still to come – of course, dressed for the occasion. 

But she is realistic about the challenges she, and other small businesses, are facing. 

“If we are allowed to reopen at the end of November, my business will survive, mainly because of the generosity and the spirit of the community. But if it goes beyond that, I really don’t know yet what I will do. I want to remain optimistic.”

There are over 80 restaurants in Georgina, small, mainly family-owned. Each one is dealing with the restrictions differently, and all are concerned that they may be on the brink of closing for good. Of course, big chain restaurants will survive because they have more resources. 

But small places, beloved by the locals, such as the Mansion House which has been operating since 1857, might disappear forever.