POST FALLS, Idaho — Amid bar and restaurant closures in Washington, at least one North Idaho restaurant says it is seeing new customers driving across the border to dine in.
Rob Clark, who owns the Sawmill Grille on Spokane street, says 65 percent of his customers on Monday were from Washington. Some of them were first time customers as well.
The new diners were a welcomed sight following orders from Washington Governor Jay Inslee this week that mandated that bars and restaurants halt in-person dining in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
"I come in Monday morning and I'm like 'Geez, I wonder how bad we're going to get slammed?'" said Clark after hearing of the new restrictions in Washington.
Tuesday was similar, Clark said, explaining that about 60 percent of his diners came from the Evergreen state. "Business was decent," said Clark in a message to KREM. "We did about 400 more than the night before."
Clark said he wasn't entirely surprised that diners searching for a sit-down meal or perhaps a draft beer were driving into Post Falls. The Sawmill Grille is located just two blocks South of the Spokane Street I-90 exit.
"What did surprise me is the amount of people that really are staying home now," explained Clark, adding that he's still seeing fewer regulars due to concerns over the virus.
"You get it both ways," he said of the tough situations facing restaurants. Some diners want to support businesses while others decide to stay in. Clark said he's emphasizing takeout and to-go orders in an effort to provide for his employees.
"I don't know where I stand. I just have a business to run and families to support," he said.
Clark added that he's prepared for the coronavirus scare to impact his bottom line. In the meantime, he'll continue placing an emphasis on sanitizing and cleaning his business as often as possible.
"I'm just hoping and praying that people out there will say 'Hey, we'll do takeout, we'll do delivery,'" he said.