In addition to our normal news coverage, What Now Atlanta is tracking ways Atlanta’s businesses are adapting to the novel coronavirus and the challenges it brings to brick-and-mortars.
While a majority of Atlanta’s powerhouse restaurant groups aren’t quite ready to reopen dining rooms on Monday, April 27 as ordered by the state, there’s a growing list of eateries ready to welcome back customers next week, and the Governor’s office on Thursday is expected to release official guidance for doing so.
Among the planned reopenings is Escobar Restaurant and Tapas Lounge, at 327 Peters St SW, which is Co-Owned by Mychel “Snoop” Dillard and rapper 2 Chainz.
“In addition to our guidelines, we will continue to come up with measures to protect our staff and patrons alike,” Dillard said in a prepared statement Thursday.
“This is a huge priority for us. This will be an ongoing thing.”
While awaiting official direction from the state, Dillard has created this set of guidelines for the restaurant:
- Owner, Mychel “Snoop” Dillard will be at the location daily.
- Valet and DJs only on the weekend.
- No promoters for now.
- The governor will be rolling out restrictions and Escobar will be sure to take heed and implement restrictions; safety is a MAJOR priority.
- Dillard will be bringing in infrared thermometers and the staff will have their temperatures taken upon clocking in for work. If it’s high, they will not be allowed to work.
- Every single staff member will be wearing gloves at all times. Being seen without them will result in termination.
- Anyone showing any signs of the COVID19 virus will be sent home and cannot work until they test negative — with proof.
- All cooks will wear masks. Failure to do so will result in termination.
- The hostesses and front staff will sit patrons, where they can practice social distancing.
- They will also be posting messages stating that they reserve the right to refuse service to anyone displaying signs of the COVID19 virus.
Waffle House is also planning to reopen several metro Atlanta locations next week, limiting the capacity of its dining rooms.
[Editor’s note (1): An earlier version of this article included Hal’s Steakhouse as reopening. Hal’s on Thursday reversed course and is no longer reopening on Monday as previously announced.
[Editor’s note (2): The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly evolving as is its effect on Atlanta, and the City’s businesses and its residents. Click here for What Now Atlanta’s ongoing coverage of the crisis. For guidance and updates on the pandemic, please visit the C.D.C. website.]
4 Responses
I don’t believe the Governor “ordered” restaurants to open on 4/27
Isn’t this restaurant in the city and therefore subject to the continuing stay-home order there?
The city cannot implement an order either more or less restrictive than the state’s order.
The issue is whether they will actually act as a restaurant or as a nightclub, as they usually do, and whether they will adhere to code for hours of operations in a historical district which they never do. We will likely see the usual disrespect for the Castleberry Hill residents that this “restaurant” displays regardless of the current situation.