Masks are now mandatory in public indoor spaces in Charlotte, regardless of vaccination status. The mandate includes inside restaurants and bars when guests are not actively eating or drinking. As they work to reimplement mask procedures, restaurant owners are preparing for an onslaught of rude behavior from guests, but are willing to do whatever steps are necessary to move past the pandemic. Here’s what some local restauranteurs have to say about the mask mandate. 

Ashley Boyd, managing partner of 300 East

“As before, it’s better for protecting staff from Covid, but also going to put our staff back in the difficult position of having to engage with those customers who are resistant.”

Christa Csoka, chef/owner of The Artisan’s Palate

“I feel like a total GenXer when I say this, but it is what it is — meaning, I’m just going to have to deal with it when it happens. No other choice. I hate it, but it doesn’t surprise me. Numbers have gone up with hospital beds full of unvaccinated people with Covid and that makes me really sad. I’ve been working so hard to keep my small business afloat and  I prayed we wouldn’t get here again. I don’t know if our industry will be able to take another blow. I am definitely feeling nervous again. What will this mean? How will it affect people’s comfort levels again? It can’t be good. But I guess we’ll just put our heads down and do what’s necessary. Again.”

Jon Dressler, owner of Rare Roots Hospitality (Dogwood, Dressler’s, The Porter’s House, Fin & Fino)

“We are happy to comply with any and all mandates that keep the public and our restaurant family safe. The faster we can move through COVID, the better off we will all be!”

Paul Verica, owner of The Stanley and Orto

“We’ve been wearing them for about a week. It is what it is, it’s the best way for us to protect our staff and hopefully customers are smart. I really wish people would just go get a fucking vaccine, and we could just be done with this, because things have been going in a good direction, and then it’s like, ‘OK, great. What’s this going to do to us now?'”

Lesa Kestanas, owner of Soul Gastrolounge and KiKi Bistro

“Given the current circumstances, we fully support a mask mandate in order to keep our doors open and to provide our staff and customers with the safest environment possible.”

Stefan Huebner, owner of Dot Dot Dot

“As restaurant owners and managers, we should not be the ones in charge of enforcing these rules. In the labor shortage, we are now being forced to add one more employee to enforce these rules. I hope that guests will be polite and understanding of the new mandate, and that it is for the greater good and safety of our citizens.”

 

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