Mittz Kitchen plans to expand its patio with at least two more tables outside its Victoria Street location (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

EXPANDED PATIOS

Restaurant owners say expanded patios will help cover costs through pandemic conditions

May 27, 2020 | 4:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — Mittz Kitchen has been open throughout the pandemic with takeout and delivery. As restrictions have eased, the restaurant has reopened, though only at 50 per cent capacity.

But the owners need as many tables filled as possible, making Tuesday’s (May 26) decision by city council allowing for expanded patios an exciting prospect.

“It’s going to be nice to extend our patio out and have a couple more tables available for some outside seating,” said co-owner Jeff Mitton. “It creates a little bit better atmosphere for the social distancing and gets everybody outside.”

City council accepted recommendations for restaurant patios to extend right to Victoria Street. Mittz would start with two extra tables and see how it goes.

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“It’s going to take care of a good chunk of wages for the day,” said Mitton. “You figure throughout the day, if you do six to eight turns on those tables, [multiply] that by the average cheque, and it’s going to take a little bit of heat off the daily labour.”

It’s not only restaurants but retail stores that are able to use the sidewalks and commercial property to sell their products. Jardines Domaine has a larger store than most, but owner Anthony Salituro says the relaxed rules will help with business.

“There are still people out there who are scared to be indoors,” said Salituro. “We’ve noticed a lot of customers wearing masks, wearing rubber gloves, and I think maybe there’s a sense of safety outside in the fresh air, and the opportunity to put some racks outside and get customers in the store is a great opportunity.”

But it’s not only restaurants and retail stores downtown that are able to expand their patios and storefronts. The city is allowing businesses across Kamloops to do the same.

Earl’s is expanding table service out onto the grass area next to the restaurant, hoping to offset some of the losses due to COVID-19.

“Limited capacity is very difficult,” said Earl’s Kamloops general manager Cody Rose. “This will help our bottom line if we can seek those tables and get some more bodies to come to Earl’s.”

For Mitton, he’s hoping the city closes off parts of Victoria Street this summer, similar to the Fourth Avenue pedestrian plaza. It’s an idea that’s being discussed with the downtown business improvement association.

“We would close between Third and Fourth for a week, maybe two, as a gathering space,” said Executive Director of the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association (KCBIA) Carl DeSantis. “This is not intended to recreate an event environment, but rather a place to respect physical-distancing requirements and allow people to come down, feel comfortable, and support our downtown community.”