The owner of the George Brew House and Eatery has seen his business buffeted by COVID-19 lockdowns since it opened in December 2019.
The Main Street brewery closed its full-time kitchen and rented it out when the latest lockdown began, with the hope of an early patio season dashed, Mike D’Angela said. He continues to take monthly losses, while hoping the campaign by Newmarket and York Region politicians pressuring the province to reopen sooner and with less restrictions will be successful.
“We can all play armchair quarterback on this, but at this point, it’s really not going to serve any purpose. All the damage is done,” D’Angela said. “We just kind of need to get on with things. We need to open up again.”
Businesses across Ontario await more restrictions to lift, with the province due to start allowing limited outdoor dining and non-essential retail June 14. However, the Town of Newmarket wants to accelerate reopening, passing a resolution May 31 asking the province to allow personal care services, one-on-one shopping and outdoor dining with limitations.
“Nothing about this lockdown makes any sense,” Councillor Grace Simon, who proposed the resolution, said on her Facebook page.
D’Angela said although the advocacy is well-intentioned, it can only go so far.
“It’s a rosy position to be in because it’s really not their choice. They can go out there and say ‘we’re doing everything we can,’ but it’s really not their decision,” he said.
Newmarket Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Tracy Walter said although she would like to see businesses reopen as soon as possible, it has to be done in a way that avoids future lockdowns.
“Some of these small businesses like personal services, restaurants, they’re hanging on by a thread,” Walter said. “We can open safely and sustainably, I guess that’s the key. We want to open these businesses up, but the last thing we want is another lockdown.”
Walter said there is hope as the number of residents vaccinationed increases, something the town also cited in its resolution. York Region has more than 72 per cent of its adult population vaccinated.
Walter further said businesses can reopen and keep things safe.
“Some of the hairstylists and salons have put in great measures. They were being very diligent,” she said. “I do think they can follow protocols and be safe to reopen.”
Both D’Angela and Walter said government support exists but is often limited by being loan-based.
"They are getting support, but the debt is mounting and at some point as a business, you stop wanting to take on any additional debt," Walter said. "Even where grants are in place, sometimes it's just keeping the bills paid."
“There’s assistance in place,” D’Angela said. “But really, nothing is free.”
For now, businesses are left to play the waiting game. Some are due to wait longer than others under the staged reopening plan, with personal care services not due to open until July if things trend well.
“We can’t just keep working like this,” D’Angela said. “These people are feeling it. We’re all feeling it.”
