La Pine businesses prepare for Phase 1 reopening
'We're here, we're open.'
LA PINE, Ore. (KTVZ ) -- Businesses in La Pine are gearing up for a comeback, and many business owners are making changes to their establishment so that guests feel safe.
La Pine Florists and Gifts has already put down direction tape on the floor to guide guests from the entrance to the fresh flowers, ending at the register. The business will continue curbside pickup, as many of their orders are done over the phone.
Employees will be required to wear masks in the shop and customers are encouraged to do the same. The shop also does no-contact deliveries for customers, and the option is still available for those who do not feel comfortable.
Owner Sandie Lichtenhaan says since the closure they've had difficulty sourcing flowers as their main distributor closed down. She believes the reopening will be a slow and gradual process but says the la pine community has been supportive.
"Everybody has been so helpful and appreciative that we're here and we're open," Lichtenhaan said Thursday. "Since they can't see their families or their moms and dads they want to send flowers to. So we're here, we're open. We have flowers, and we're ready to send them to your loved ones."
While Lichtenhaan makes changes to her shop indoors, the Harvest Depot Restaurant in La Pine is making changes outside their restaurant and indoors.
The Harvest Depot has been running for 17 years, and now they'll have a new tent and outdoor seating for guests to enjoy meals outdoors.
The restaurant plans to reopen the inside, but will only allow seating for three tables to maintain the required six-foot separation. The breakfast and lunch menu is now drawn on dry erase boards, and there will be one-time-use printed copies for the visually impaired.
Owner Joel Brader says this reopening will be slow and intentional for the Harvest Depot, to ensure the safety of guests.
"We're grateful that we are one of the businesses that can open, unlike some of the retail stores, stadiums and churches that can't do mass seatings yet," Brader said.
"We will have very limited seating, three tables. That's not much, but three is better than none, and we're asking people to make reservations and work with us, because we're doing what we can. We're not going to jeopardize stuff just to get more tables in here."
Both owners, Lichenhaan and Brader, said they are excited to reopen, and are grateful to the La Pine community for their support during this time.
