As Gov. Brian Kemp announces plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions in the state, local Gainesville businesses are making plans on what the new "normal" could look like.
While many businesses around the Gainesville square have an optional mask policy, anyone who wants to grab a bite to eat at Atlas Pizza must wear a mask inside, except when seated.
"It's really just to reduce contact when up and around, going to the bathroom, all those things," said Naomi Gnome, a manager at the restaurant.
Employees also sanitize and wipe down tables, which Gnome said they have always done, but they go a step farther by keeping things like pens sanitized as well.
The dining area was closed from March to November 2020 but now operates at a reduced capacity with fewer tables. The pick-up station outside is still in operation, and while it is not as busy as it was at the beginning of the pandemic, some customers still prefer that option.
"We were one of the only places that didn't close at all," Gnome said. "Like we've done pick-up and delivery since day one of the shutdown."
Gnome said that the owner is thinking about aiming for full capacity by June.
When thinking about the end of the pandemic, Gnome said she looks forward to "people being more comfortable and kinder," explaining that some people do not like being asked to wear a mask or waiting longer for service.
At Garment and Grace, Dress Up and Phillips Trading Co., masks are optional.
"If you prefer to wear a mask, you can wear a mask," said Angie Shockley, a sales associate at Garment and Grace.
In the boutique that sells clothing and jewelry, Shockley cleans and sanitizes frequently touched surfaces, such as the door and the counter. She says they do not intend to ease back on cleaning anytime soon.
N'Tara Hendrix, a manager at Dress Up, said employees can wear masks if they would like to and there is no limit on capacity. They have not received word from their corporate office on plans moving forward.
"The biggest impact [of the pandemic] for us is the way our website has done. It's done really well," Hendrix said. "Our website has been a big part of driving our sales."
Conversely, Hannah Hudgins, assistant manager at Phillips Trading Co., said business has been slow because they do not have a website.
"I think it's different because we're a smaller store, a local store," Hudgins said, regarding the store's lack of mask requirement and capacity limit. "So I think our restrictions have been a little lax because of that."
At Inman Perk Coffee, manager Michelle Benanti explained that COVID-19 rules are still very much in place.
The coffee shop has limited seating, groups over four must sit outside and parties cannot mix. Baristas are required to wear masks, they clean with Lysol every hour and the night is wrapped up with a specific cleaning protocol.
"The only [restriction] we would lift is that we would extend our parties to six, because that what some of our seating sections allow," Benanti said. "If people want to sit with other parties, that's their personal choice. We don't have restrictions on that coming forward."
Overall, employees at local businesses seem eager but cautious moving forward.
"I'm just looking forward to seeing people again, out and about," Hudgins said. "I think that's what I'm looking forward to most."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2021/3/992689/gainesville-square-prepares-for-business-after-covid-19