Ottawa business owners react to first day without capacity limits
After 19 long months, many Ottawa business owners are eager to welcome back customers with no capacity limits.
“It’s huge. Every person in helps, especially with the last two years. It’s taken its toll and the fact that we’re able to people come back in, in more numbers, is massive,” Chris Vasilas, the owner Local Heroes, said Monday.
Like many restaurants in the city, Vasilas and his staff spent the morning dressing tables and preparing for a night with more guests than they’ve had in months.
“Today, we got rid of the old system, brought in the new one, and we’re excited to see what’s going to happen,” he added.
More than a chance to recover after a financially draining pandemic, Vasilas says this is a chance for business owners to prove they can survive on their own.
“Now it’s time for us to step up and be on our own now, now that we’re able to be on our without the restrictions,” he said.
It’s a sentiment matched by Victoria Bussi.
“It’s exactly what we needed given the circumstances,” Bussi, the owner of TG Athletics said.
After opening an independent fitness studio with her husband in January, Bussi says she’s excited to finally see just how successful her business can become.
“This gives us an opportunity just to honestly maximize or use our space to its full potential and be able to invite new members into the studio,” she said.
Despite the changes, there are some choosing not to take advantage of the new capacity allowances.
“We’re probably likely going to make not too many changes here. We’ll add a few tables here and there,” Jeremy Chan, the owner of Bambu said.
Bambu Co-Owner, Jeremy Chan, says he doesn’t anticipate making major capacity changes at his restaurant (Colton Praill / CTV News Ottawa)
Chan says staffing is a challenge, and would likely make a return to full capacity near-impossible, but adds that’s not what is driving his decision.
He says he’s focusing on safety, particularly for his older clients.
“I think the businesses that continue to follow heightened safety protocols will benefit from the customers who are still hesitant to go out will appreciate and direct their business to those types of restaurants,” Chan noted.
Monday’s change is another significant step in Ontario’s plan to exit the pandemic, the next comes in three weeks on Nov. 15, when capacity limits are lifted at nightclubs, strip clubs, and wedding receptions that involve dancing.
According to event venues like the Bronson Centre, who are already able to open to full capacity, that’s the change that will make the biggest impact.
“Mid-November we’re ready to rock and roll, literally,” Corey Mayville, Executive Director of the Bronson Centre said.
Mayville says those in charge of booking concerts at the venue have been waiting for this announcement, and excitement is already building.
“Their calendars have been full for a long time and just bumping and bumping and bumping so I think we’re going to hit the ground running as soon as we’re able to do that,” he noted.
As part of Monday’s announcement, museums, galleries, places of worship, and personal care settings can all open without capacity limits, provided they require proof-of-vaccination.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.