SPOKANE, Wash. — Indoor dining at restaurants in Washington state is restricted for at least the next month.
Based on the financial struggles from COVID-19 alone, some Spokane businesses won’t make it into the new year.
“It’s preposterous to think that a restaurant can survive only on takeout and outdoor dining when you live in an area such as the Northwest,” said Josh Wade, owner of Bark, a Rescue Pub.
Several business owners like Wade, who also owns Nectar Wine, Beer and Catering, are asking local legislators to push for change.
They want a conversation to be held with Governor Jay Inslee about potential harm that comes from closed doors.
“You’re going to see two, three times as many hospitality industry businesses close their doors indefinitely after this particular shutdown," Wade said.
Part of their frustration stems from laying off employees during the holiday season. Wade believes indoor dining even at 25% capacity could help alleviate some of their stress over rent and other bills.
Derek Baziotis owns two restaurants in Cheney and describes the recent setback as devastating.
“So we’re calling on our local leaders to step up and head over there and with Inslee and say look, we’ve got to fight for these guys,” Baziotis said. “We’ve got to do something.”
Governor Inslee did announce an effort to help takeout orders on Thursday.
There’s now a cap on third-party delivery fees restricting companies from charging more than 15% on pickup orders.
Some owners, including Baziotis, believe that’s not enough to balance their losses.
“You’re going to have people that [give up]. I’m not going to do it anymore, I can’t do it anymore," he said.
Restrictions are expected to be lifted on Dec. 14, 2020.