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."
I’m heading down to the Covid Cafe and git me a cheeseburger!
havent heard of people going out to celebrate presidents day and we will see how the summit high outbreak effects our count for this 2 week period. I know would be fitting if the cases coming out of that sweet 16 party in the end puts us back into extreme risk. Does seem like more and more these days kids talk back to their parents and turn them in when they get reprimanded.
It’s more that it’s a long weekend for those who have Monday’s holiday off.
And for some parts of Washington (state) schools are out. Not just a long weekend …a holiday break that lasts the week.
2 questions-
How many times is ktvz going to recycle a version of this story?
Is rosie westlund related to ben westlund?
The damage is done ! Kate Brown and the Demokrats controlling Oregon have destroyed the economy- and no amount of lying will fix it ! Fear mongering- hate- anger towards a US president have led Demokrats down a dark hole of destruction that is just now starting to be revealed in NY State- where Governor Andrew Cuomo is about to take the fall for events that started out West- I guarantee you- this canary will sing !!! Thousands of senior citizens purposefully sacrificed so Cuomo could make a political statement- this is horrific- and all roads lead to Oregon Governor Kate Brown’s office- she must either explain her handling of the mild china virus- or resign- tis that simple !
Oh BGHW….thanks for the daily dose of hate and toxicity.
Happy trails…may you find peace and satisfaction on your bumpy life journey.
I’m starting to think your Mother dropped you on your head as a daily ritual.
Do you need a tissue or are you afraid it would be made by Liberals? Each one of your rambling posts delights knowing Kate takes up so much space in your brain. Remember the court says 50 yards and no more.
No trump’s failure to contain the China virus killed the economy and any with a brain knows it. But we know where you are on that scale! no brain no headaches right?
Nah, Democrat governors systematically destroyed the economy state by state. The people u support. No surprise u and ur kind won’t be honest about it. Hilarious how Biden is admitting that he lied and he has no covid plan. U people make excuses and support him anyway. Pathetic
Why are those food preparers not wearing gloves? Another reason to pass on restaurants for now!
Bring out Pelosi laptop!! Trump has witnesses lined up. Had to write here since Bend 21 News does not want to talk about it.
Hunter’s laptop- Nancy’s laptop- Joey’s 40+ Executive orders (many to allow illegals into the country without a proper plan for once they get in- back to catch and release)- the destruction of thousands of oil and gas jobs with no counter solution in place- no strategy to address the China virus (Cmon Man- just wear a mask)- the revelation that four States that voted for Biden are now under DOJ investigation for falsifying China Virus deaths- another fake impeachment complete with doctored visual aids and false allegations of sending in the “Cavalry”- 80 million Americans supposedly voted for this little lyin’ Joey guy- yet none of them are supporting anything he says as Biden’s approval ratings are now 10 points below Trump at the same time in their administration… All this is being ignored- blacked-out- or intentionally missed… and Z21 has another affiliate (FOX) to pull from- but they refuse to do so- actions speak volumes !
FACT: There is no Fox News Wire for affiliates as there is the CNN wire.
(And no I’m not talking to YOU – total waste of time – but the unfortunate few who don’t skip over or summarily dismiss based on experience your … falsehoods.)
FACT: FOX programming is aired by KFXO-CD here in CO. The Z21 nightly news program airs daily on this FOX network. The vast majority of your viewers find it absurd that you continue to use a FOX affiliate to distribute CNN propaganda. So how exactly does that wash ? That when I watch Jordan Williams tonight- he will be presenting the CNN warped version of the world ? Maybe you can take a little more time to explain this unhealthy relationship you have with CNN- it’s killing yer credibility.
No. You hear but as usual don’t listen. Interaction with you is useless and a waste of time. You prove that every day, with your hypocritical personal attacks.
Good day to you.
What attack ? The masses are truly confused as to why you pump CNN political garbage through your news station at KFXO CD FOX Orgeon ! It’s a legit question that you continue to dodge.
No, I gave you truthful, factual answers that you ignore or twist. Interaction with toxic trolls like you is useless, and you prove it with every post.
We are all witnesses of trump’s treason, nuff said, climb back into your hole!
Dems: “We want witnesses!”
Trump’s Defense: “We call Pelosi and Bowser”
Dems: “ummmm… never mind”
Did I get that right?