The Legault government’s most recent sanitary screw-up does not impose closures on restaurateurs, but that will not prevent those looking for a table from running up against closed doors over the next few days. Cautious, retailers nevertheless anticipate an increase in their sales during the holiday season.
Restaurants had opted for a break due to numerous cancellations caused by the surge in COVID-19 infection cases as authorities advised against gatherings.
Co-owner of the Montreal restaurant Mon Rabbit, Marc-Olivier Frappier has decided to put aside the days leading up to Christmas this year. The break was declared last Saturday. In the current context, the game is not worth the candle.
” The news [de mercredi] aren’t that bad, but that doesn’t change a thing for us, he says. A restaurant that operates at 50% of its capacity and which must close at 10 p.m., it’s impossible that it will be profitable. As long as it is like that, we won’t be able to go very far. “
Mr. Frappier expects to take a break until January 10. He hopes there will be relaxations by then to avoid having to find “alternative income” to continue to employ his 25 employees.
At Bar Saint-Denis, there have been cases of COVID-19 among employees. A break was called for, explains establishment co-owner Emily Homsy. This is in addition to the cancellations of many groups.
“We want employees and customers to be comfortable,” she says. We take it day by day. I think we will reopen in January. We felt it was best for everyone to close. “
With the rumors of recent days, Francine Brûlé, founding president of Les enfants terribles restaurants, was “very surprised” by the Legault government, which restricts gatherings around a table to six people or “two family bubbles”.
“Looks like everyone has COVID-19,” says the businesswoman, hinting at the increase in cases. People are afraid to go to restaurants. Are we going to stay open? It will depend on the traffic. “
The health context has caused many cancellations, and the limits imposed by Quebec are binding, underlines Mr.me Burnt.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, ARCHIVES THE PRESS
Francine Brûlé is the founding president of Les enfants terribles restaurants.
“We can operate in our restaurants if the 50% capacity is full and it runs twice,” she says. Otherwise, we can’t do it. I have to dissect a lot of things. We will have to hold meetings and make decisions. “
Keep employees
On the side of the Association Restauration Quebec (ARQ), the director of public and government affairs Martin Vézina said he was nevertheless “relieved” to see that the dining rooms will remain open.
The next few weeks are going to be difficult and many restaurants will not be “profitable”, but they will also be able to retain employees.
Yes, we are losing income, but we will be able to retain key workers. The big fear is that a lot of employees will say to themselves “catering is unstable”. We would have lost a workforce that would probably not have been there afterwards.
Martin Vézina, Director of Public and Government Affairs
Unlike bars, restaurants can continue to operate.
Mr. Vézina also welcomed the decision of the Trudeau government to broaden the criteria of its assistance programs to allow companies to receive wage subsidies and rent subsidies, for example.
Relieved retailers, for now
Several retailers feared they would replay in the same movie they did a year ago when non-essential businesses were forced to close for two weeks.
They are relieved to be spared, at least for now.
It is certain that my turnover will be better. He will see there [la frénésie du 26 décembre]. People are going to use their gift cards. If they have a $ 40 card, maybe they’ll buy it for $ 60 on the spot.
Benoît Doyon, owner of the Imaginaire bookstore
The latter had prepared a “plan B” because he was anticipating bad news. Surprised by the turn of events, Mr. Doyon, owner of five boutiques (Montreal, Quebec, Lévis, Trois-Rivières and Sherbrooke), remains on his guard. He is aware that new restrictions could be announced if the health situation deteriorates.
“We’re not closing on December 26, but is it just postponed? He asks himself.
The capacity of stores had recently been reduced by Quebec. The Director General of the Quebec Retail Council (CQCD), Jean-Guy Côté, breathed a sigh of relief as he listened to the press conference by Prime Minister François Legault.
“We are already seeing a significant reduction in traffic in our businesses, but we will be able to remain open in the coming days, which are very important,” he says.
Mr. Côté warns, however, that consumers will have to be patient. In many cases, customers will have to re-enter queues due to current restrictions.