New rules as cold snap hits: Bend restaurants welcome return of indoor dining

'Hopefully, it does put a little more money in the pocket for me'

(Update: Adding video, comments)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- With new snowfall and quite the cold snap comes new COVID-19 guidance from the Oregon Healthy Authority for Deschutes County restaurants, starting Friday.

With Gov. Brown's announcement earlier this week, Deschutes County moves down from 'Extreme Risk' to 'High Risk,' in COVID-19 protocols, permitting a resumption of indoor dining, though only at 25% capacity or 50 people, whichever is smaller.

So how is the industry handling another round of new and lessened restrictions?

Downtown Bend's Wild Rose owner, Rosie Westlund, has been waiting for this day for months.

"We were all really excited hear that we could reopen," Westlund said. "I think it's something we were all on pins and needles waiting to hear about."

Takeout orders have kept them afloat without outdoor seating.

It's been great," she said. "We've still gotten a good number of calls for takeout thankfully."

She said it's all about balance now: "Now it's just a juggle between seating diners while still doing a heavy volume of takeout orders." 

The restaurant 900 Wall just down the street has offered outdoor seating, but owner Katie Egge says they're ready to welcome people back inside (and considering the coldest temperatures of the winter, it's welcome timing).

"Initially, I was like, 'Okay -- game on! I'd better find my staff," she said.

With a Presidents Day holiday weekend and Valentine's Day just around the corner -- and that cold snap -- customers have already jumped at the opportunity to be indoors.

"We are officially booked up for dinner tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday," Egge said.

Restaurant owners are not the only ones welcoming the loosened limits.

Bend Brewing server Christian Pyle is hoping it means more hours for staff.

"We're not bringing on any new people, but we are bringing back some old people," Pyle said. "It's been getting busier each week, but the indoors opening has let us put in some new shifts for people."

Pyle said the new rules are a step in the right direction, and it doesn't hurt to have a little extra money in his wallet.

"Our brewery has limited seating inside, but we have so much outdoor space available," Pyle said. "Hopefully, it does put a little more money in the pocket for me."