Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 3, 2020 | Worcester Business Journal 15 H O S P I T A L I T Y & T O U R I S M F O C U S ensure we are meeting their expectations while keeping them and our employees safe," Landry said. At Gazbar, Grinkis has moved chairs and tables to fit social distance requirements for guests. Grinkis has automated messages sent out to guests, to replace the potential dangers of individuals waiting for a table together at the restaurant. "We have moved all tables both indoors and outdoors six feet apart," Grinkis said, "which eliminated a few tables that we normally have in rotation. We now only have a maximum of six chairs at a table and they cannot be moved. We are not allowed to have the bar stools at the bar anymore, so we have tables attached to the bar that are also six feet apart." Bringing in less money As his restaurants opened back up, Covino estimated his Niche eateries to be generating 30% and 50% of their typical revenue, hampered by a lack of bar business. e reduction is similar at Families Together Adult Day Health Center, which reduced capacity by almost 50% to satisfy safety guidelines. "e biggest impact is the reduction and capacity, and that's going to stay in place until the state feels it is safe enough to increase the capacity," Estevez said. Even with the reduction in size, Estevez emphasized the importance of adaptability within the complex and challenging times. Outdoor dining is now available at the day care center. "ough we were negatively impacted, we are much different than other businesses and what they're doing," Estevez said. "We made our facility in a way that we are still able to take care of our clients in a safe way." Despite the challenges 2020 has brought, Kelleher said she is striving to have her business survive the pandemic and find success on the other side. "Everyday we are just really grateful, that we are still able to be in business, we're able to still keep our team on payroll," Kelleher said. "It's really just one day at a time." Nat King Cole "You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss. " Standard Time weekdays 3:00 to 6:00 pm. The Great American Songbook and jazz standards. And great radio is still great radio. Herman Hupfield Nat King Cole "You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss. " Standard Time weekdays 3:00 to 6:00 pm. The Great American Songbook and jazz standards. And great radio is still great radio. Herman Hupfield Find business insights and sponsored content articles with relevant and helpful tips and tools for your business. www.wbjournal.com/sponsored/business-insights BIZ MARKETPLACE WBJ WBJ Biz Marketplace is a sponsored content section of wbjournal.com W Employees must enforce mask-wearing F L AS H P O L L How do you enforce mask-wearing in your business? With few exceptions, masks remain required for patrons and employees at virtually all businesses in Massachusetts. While they have been required for months, they remain, at times, a contentious issue, particularly when consumers and patrons push back against wearing them, placing business owners and their employees in potentially tense situations. When polled online, the plurality of WBJ readers said all employees are responsible for enforcing mask-wearing at their companies. We have a designated person who enforces mask- wearing. COMMENTS: "Unless you are sick or are in a risk group, I do not believe that wearing a mask makes any appreciable difference in the transmission of COVID." (Editor's note: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommends everyone over age 2 wear a face mask out in public, and researchers have consistently found infection rates dropped in areas following the implementation of mandatory face mask policies.) "We keep a supply of disposable masks on hand. Most of our customers come in wearing one. If they don't, we offer them one of ours. So far we've been fortunate, and so far no one has refused to put one on." "It has become awful because if we ask people to go and get a mask, they leave and all that means is COVID-19 is still hurting my business and costing me lost sales! So between the PPE, cleaning supplies and customers, our business is losing lots of money. It's unfortunate because there are a lot of businesses not following the rules and costing them nothing!" Mask-wearing is self-enforced. 25% Mask-wearing is enforced by management. 26% Mask-wearing is enforced by all employees. 34% We do not enforce mask- wearing. 13%

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