Business bustling as province eases more COVID restrictions

The second phase of Nova Scotia’s reopening plan kicked off Wednesday.

Restaurants and bars can now have up to ten people per group seated indoors and social distanced from other groups.

Retail stores can now operate at 50 percent capacity and personal services businesses such as hair salons, spas, and body art establishments that require clients to remove their masks can also reopen.

A quick walk around downtown Liverpool shows business owners were ready and keen to open their doors.

Andreas Arnmor, owner of Main and Mersey says while their takeout business has kept them afloat through the lockdown, it was nice to see people milling around inside.

“Today, eight o’clock in the morning, fantastic to have people inside, although it’s still social distancing. But, just to move towards normality,” said Arnmor.

During a busy lunch service at Memories Café, server Angie Wilson stopped for a moment to comment on the crowd.

“Much busier than expected, lots of people coming and going,” said Wilson. “They’re very excited to be back out and into the public again and to see other faces.”

At Five Girls Baking, owner Leanne Arnott is relieved other owners can reopen their businesses.

Arnott says the pandemic forced everyone to adapt.

“Well, we had seating in here that we had to take away at the beginning and we never put it back,” said Arnott. “We did have people that would come and sit down. We have changed an awful lot to survive.”

In addition to the fresh baked goods produced on site, Arnott says they branched out to offer local fresh food and meats as well as specialty groceries.

Another business owner who had to make changes to their model is Joey Nasrallah, owner of A1 Pizza.

Because of the increase in take out orders, Nasrallah needed more space for his staff, so he expanded his kitchen and cut the amount of seating to just eight stools.

Nasrallah noticed a change in how his customers would interact during the lockdown.

“People were scared, if a person [was] in, people wait outdoors, they won’t even walk in, even if [there was just] one person or they might leave. Difficulties, people scared of each other,” said Nasrallah.

Around the corner at Hell Bay Brewing Company, co-owner Melanie Perron said they’re just excited to have people sit and stay a while in their space.

Perron says they’re hiring staff and preparing to serve people both in their shop and on their patio.

Each of the people we spoke with were asked how they felt about the speed of the province’s phased reopening plan.

They all agreed the phases seem to be coming at an appropriate pace to keep everyone safe.

Perron sums it up.

“I’m not a doctor. I’m not a scientist, so for me to judge or give my opinion on how they’re going about doing things, it seems to be working out, so far so good.”

Nasrallah says when it comes to the long-term impacts, a cautious reopening plan is better.

“We don’t want to open too fast and get damaged again like we did last time,” said Nasrallah.

Overall, owners were in good spirits on the first day of Phase II.

Back at Main and Mersey, Andreas Arnmor is looking ahead.

“The first mask-free day we’re going to have a party,” said Arnmor. “I’m going to sell gin and tonics. No, I’m not because I’m not allowed. So, I’m not going to do that. I’m going to sell tonics with matcha latte as a new drink.”

After struggling to survive the pandemic, business owners can begin to the light at the end of the tunnel.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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