TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– Indiana bars and restaurants are allowed to open at full capacity starting Saturday, July 4, following Governor Eric Holcomb’s executive order.
Noelle Cress, Public Relations Coordinator at Sonka’s Irish Pub, said they look forward to reopening. But she said there have been challenges along the way.
“We always just have to think on our feet and hit the ground running with whatever is thrown at us. This last three months has proved that. We get an update and then we have to act on it the very next day with framework that didn’t really exist,” she said.
Both Sonka’s and Copper Bar in Terre Haute will continue to adhere to sanitary and social distancing guidelines issued by the state, which includes requiring face masks for all employees.
Nick Zwerner, General Manager at Copper Bar, said they want to make sure they’re fostering a safe and healthy environment.
“I know everyone is excited to get this over with. But it’s not going anywhere until there’s a vaccine so we need to continue to on with what we’re doing. We can allow more people in but we’re still going to be as safe as possible for the customers and for the staff as well,” he said.
Zwerner and Cress both said their customers’ support has made an already difficult process less challenging.
“I think they understand the situation. The ones that are excited to come out are coming out and those that want to stay home are staying home and that’s fine. When they feel safe to come, we’ll be here,” Zwerner said.
“It’s been really great to see them come in and have their own precautions in place to keep us safe and to keep themselves safe so we’re very fortunate in our little Irish bubble to have people that care so much about us and about this business,” Cress said.
