ARVADA, Colo. — Yet again, restaurant owners are scrambling to figure out what they can do to get by with Level Red restrictions set to begin on Friday.
“It’s a little scary. We made it through the last closure, we’re hoping to do the same this time. We have to be creative,” said Andrew Busold, bar manager at School House Kitchen and Libations.
Creative is something School House Kitchen and Libations is familiar with, after all, they bought a school bus to fit three dining tables. They're located in the middle of Olde town Arvada, an area made up mostly of restaurants and retail.
“I feel like there’s already fear in the air coming from all of us,” said Busold of the looming restrictions.
New guidelines under Level Red restrictions prohibit inside dining while allowing customers to eat on the patios. However, as the weather changes, outdoor seating sounds less appealing.
“I don’t know about you but sitting outside when it’s 20°, eating dinner, it’s not something I can imagine a lot of people, [are] looking forward to,” Busold told Denver7.
It's not just bars and restaurants feeling the heat. Just down the street, Arvada Army Navy Surplus is a store that’s been part of Olde Town since 1984.
“Obviously we're nervous because we do get a lot of walked by traffic,” said Arvada Army Navy Surplus Assistant Manager, Kelly Swaney.
Under Level Red restrictions, indoor dining is temporarily closed, however, takeout, delivery and outdoor dining options are still available. Bars will remain closed and last call at restaurants serving alcohol will move from 10 p.m. to 8 p.m. Gyms are allowed to operate at 10% capacity or have no more than 10 people per room inside a gym. Childcare will remain open, but indoor seated events will close. Offices are encouraged to switch to remote work, if possible, or have only 10% capacity in the building. Personal gatherings of any size will not be allowed.
