Reopening strategies are eyed Downeast

Area restaurants and retail shops are assessing whether to open their doors as the state mandates related to COVID 19 safety protocols begin to loosen. Decisions include their business' physical size and product model and their ability to serve customers safely, and whether as a business owner they have concerns about health that necessitate extra caution. The state has a guideline checklist for businesses to follow on itssite that anyone can access and that is updated according to any new state plans put in place. A sampling of businesses provides a snapshot of different strategies being taken Downeast.

Restaurants address challenges
Over at the Nook and Cranny Restaurant in Baileyville, owner and chef Steve Clark says that he has been open for the duration, using take out with curbside pick up when the restaurant itself could not be open, and now open for business following all the state's guidelines. "We're probably one of the more fortunate restaurants," he says, because of the configuration of the space into five separate dining rooms. "We're able to seat people comfortably and maintain social distancing."
However, space restrictions have been the deciding factor in Robert Patterson's decision to keep The New Friendly Restaurant in Perry continuing only take out with curbside pick up. "We're not big enough to open up the inside and meet regulations," he says.
Among a number of measures, the state specifies that restaurants must space tables at least six feet apart and in such a way that a travel lane for waitstaff provides for social distancing as well. The restaurant is required to collect a contact name and phone number for one person in a group in case the virus is discovered to have been at that location in the future. Waitstaff must wear masks, while customers are encouraged to wear them when not eating. Sanitizing practices include wiping down tables and chairs between use, wiping down doorknobs and cleaning restrooms frequently. "It's uncomfortable," for the waitstaff to wear masks, Clark reports, with servers reporting that it can make for difficult breathing when they're working hard. He estimates that less than 10% of his customers wear masks.
Lubec's Water Street Tavern has seen a gradual increase in customers since reopening, reports owner Jim Heyer. Diners from Calais, Cutler, Eastport, Machias, Pembroke and the "normal flow" from Lubec have been visiting for dinner. While he's been having nights of 10 to 15 people, a recent Saturday saw them slammed. He too was using take out until he could reopen and still serves customers who prefer to eat at home. "We're meeting and exceeding guidelines," he says. Seating capacity has been reduced by 50% in order to provide more than six feet between tables. While his deck would normally have five tables, it now has two. Each table is clothed in butcher paper that is removed between sittings, packets of sanitizer are kept at each table for guests to use, and there are staff cleaning routines between seatings. "Reservations are highly recommended," he says. If walk ins arrive and can't be seated, they are asked to wait outside the restaurant until a table opens up. "Guests are happy," he says, and have commented on how they appreciate the steps being taken.
Taking employee temperatures before work starts is one of the extra precautions The Happy Crab in Eastport is taking, reports Manager Tammie Chasse. She has a dedicated host who seats guests, takes their personal information and sanitizes surfaces. They are using disposable and virtual menus. "We are requiring face coverings for customers" to use while not eating, she says, and will provide them for people who do not have their own. Staff are fully masked or shielded. Tables are spaced according to regulations, including with travel lanes for staff, and can seat from one to eight. The deck also has tables spaced appropriately, and with seating on the outskirts in order to maintain the travel path for customers and waitstaff. "We removed furniture and stored it just to keep everyone safe," she adds. The restaurant didn't want customers seeing an empty table and deciding to move chairs around. "We're a small community. It makes it especially difficult not to mingle," she explains. The reaction from staff has been fine, she notes, and 99% of customers are glad for the extra precautions.

Retail navigates different challenges
Shanna Wheelock, owner of Crow Town Gallery in Lubec, is still at a point where health concerns need to take priority over her business. She wants to wait and see if the loosening of restrictions and movement of visitors contribute to an increase in state cases or not. "I'm in a high risk category, so I'm being very careful." She's being cautious for her own health but is also concerned about the health of her community, given its older population. With aging parents, she wants to keep herself as safe as possible so that if she needs to she can visit them and help with caregiving.
The gallery of Wheelock's handcrafted pots, sculptures and more makes for some particular challenges when she does open, tentatively set for mid July. The allure and nature of hand crafted items is in their tactile nature, which means that customers want and need to pick up items to understand and connect with them. She's exploring how to have a sampling of items that can be picked up by customers and then set down on a different table where she will clean them. Masks will be required. Because of the gallery's size she will be limited to about five customers at a time. "I won't be able to do public events this year," she adds sadly of the music, performances and shows that she had planned for the season.
Celebrating 30 years in business with a pandemic wasn't in Junia Lehman's plans for West Quoddy Gifts this year, but she's rolling with the unexpected. "I never would have dreamed it would be like this," she says. All the precautions put in place have been well received. "People are really good. If they see another car in the parking lot they wait," until customers leave before going in. Her store is small and can accommodate four to five at a time. "Most people are very good about wearing masks if other people are there." A plastic barrier keeps staff safe at the check out desk. Sanitizer is at the ready for customers and staff to use. "I've been very pleased with how customers have been. They've been very appreciative that we're open." She's seen mostly Maine people coming to visit from other parts of the state.
Karen Raye of Raye's Mustard in downtown Eastport has also seen some visitors from other parts of the state and hopes the trend continues. "I feel somewhat positive about the summer as long as people are careful." The store has plexiglass at the counter, sanitizer on hand and in use, recommends masks for customers and that staff wear them when customers are present and can accommodate five or fewer customers at a time. "Everyone seems very respectful and appreciative," she says of customers coming in. The store is also continuing with curbside pick up for those customers who call ahead and prefer not to enter the store.
Antique and vintage collectible stores have some of the same issues as Wheelock outlined, with items that call for close inspection, to be picked up and marveled at, and often with densely packed floor space. Sherry Evers, owner of The Clutter Shop in Lubec, has decided to be open by appointment only. "I'll open just for them. They'll need to wear a mask and I will wear a mask." Sanitizer will be at the ready. She explains, "This is a browsing shop," and opening only by appointment does not carry with it the expectation that someone buys something. Because she lives next door, she can usually open at a moment's notice by phone call. She's been having fun putting up videos of items on her social media page that trigger stories from viewers, including one of her first posts featuring old electric percolators.
At this point in time Evers does not feel comfortable with opening until she hears from the medical community that it is safe to do so. "Maybe if I saw that regular tourists were coming in and there were no Lubec cases," she says. "It's just that I have a shop where people linger," and while the shop is big, it has narrow spaces for people to use while looking at all her inventory. "The biggest thing I miss are the customers," Evers says of the neighbors, friends and strangers she usually is welcoming into her days.
For more information about state guidelines, including the most recent updates, visit www.maine.gov/covid19.