TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) — Florida restaurants are now allowed to serve dine-in customers at 50 percent capacity. Chip Evans, the owner of Willie Jewell's BBQ on Thomasville Road in Tallahassee explained why he chose not to open his restaurant at 25 percent. He said it wasn't worth the risk.
"I can look at the pros and the cons of opening up my restaurant at a 25% capacity level and if you weigh those collectively, it doesn't make a lot of sense," said Evans.
Willie Jewell's has since re-opened, once the governor's order of 50 percent capacity came down.
Across town, Blake Kerivel, opened up Fly By Phillys a week ago but had to close down temporarily. “We just want everybody to come in and see the big change," said Kerivel. "We want them to see not only do we have such great taste, the best cheesesteak. I believe people over 100 miles are coming that are already texting us. It’s not going to take so long.”
Kerivel has plans to relaunch this coming Friday as a takeout spot.
"It's going to be a whole different world with social distancing, how long is that going to stay? How long are we going to have to wear a face mask," said Kerivel. "But, until it does, hey at least we're open and we get to serve the people and do what you love."
Both businesses will be following CDC guidelines which includes giving employees temperature checks before starting work.
Kerivel said, "We always wear gloves, we will be wearing these face sleeves. That way if someone doesn't want to wear a mask, that's okay, but we're still going to do it for the ones who want us to have them."
"You're not going to see the normal condiments on the table, you're not going to be able to go and pump your own hot BBQ sauce," added Evans.
Fly By Phillys is set to relaunch on Friday and their hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will offer takeout and curbside. Willie Jewell's is still offering takeout and delivery, as well as the dine-in with 50 percent capacity.
