Partners in both business and life, Chinched Restaurant & Deli owners Shaun Hussey and Michelle LeBlanc were encouraging customers with reservations for Valentine's Day to consider rebooking instead of outright cancelling reservations ahead of the storm. — Facebook photoST. JOHN'S, N.L. — When Chinched Restaurant and Deli co-owner Michelle LeBlanc saw the weather forecast call for a Valentine's Day snowstorm, it left her in a not-so-loving mood.
Chinched confirmed later that morning it would not open, as did just about every eatery in St. John's metro.The fact Valentine's Day falls on a weeknight made the snowstorm all the more disappointing, as it was set to bring in business on a night that otherwise would not be busy this time of year. In the event of a closure, LeBlanc was prepared to call customers with reservations personally to see if they could book for another night.
As for reservations affected by the storm, Vallis was optimistic most of those would rebook for later in the week, noting a number of people did so on Monday. Piatto planned to also extend its Valentine's Day-themed special, due to expire Tuesday, until Friday, Feb. 17. Tak Ishiwata of Basho Restaurant & Lounge on Duckworth Street was OK with having a snow day on Valentine's Day. Reached on his cellphone while braving the storm to walk his dog, Ishiwata said he expects customers will come back another night.