Eugene Honcharuk saw news of patios reopening in Toronto last week and started making a list. He filled six pages with every available piece of patio equipment in his inventory and waited for the restaurants and bars to start calling.
While reopened patios could look, from the outside, like the industry turning back on, some restaurant owners and suppliers are cautioning that it is mostly an illusion. Restaurants Canada, a major industry association, estimates that a typical restaurant will spend roughly $46,000 to reopen, which is enough to make many hesitate, given their inability to function at full capacity.
Patios are also at the mercy of weather. If it rains, you’re closed. If it’s too hot, no one wants to sit in the sun. During a string of hot days in Toronto last week, for instance, some newly opened patios were on the hunt for extra umbrellas. The reality is you cannot afford to pay 100 per cent of your bills when you don’t have 100 per cent of your business
Vacation in BC. Dining in. Almost like it never happened!