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'Twas the night before patio season in Newmarket

Take note, you're going to have to plan ahead, make reservations, book appointments

Newmarkettoday.ca
June 19, 2020
Kim Champion

Newmarket is abuzz today as outdoor patios are staked out and readied, and merchants and restaurateurs get set to welcome back customers during stage 2 of Ontario’s three-stage COVID-19 reopening plan.

That means starting tomorrow, June 19, residents can dine and drink outside on a patio, book an appointment for a haircut, manicure or pedicure, shop at the Upper Canada Mall, and even get a tattoo.

Strict public health protocols remain in place, as well as new ways of patronising your favourite locales during the pandemic.

Most importantly, according to Ontario’s COVID-19 safety guidelines, patrons must make a reservation for patio dining, or an appointment for personal care services before turning up at the establishment. Walk-ins are prohibited to help stop the spread of the coronavirus -- and track any cases should they occur.

York Region public health and Newmarket officials also urge the community to remain vigilant during the phased reopening of the economy by wearing face masks, keeping six feet apart from others who are not in your social bubble, or circle, wash your hands frequently, and stay at home if you feel ill.

Here’s a snapshot of Newmarket's patio dining scene:

Made in Mexico Restaurant was busy this week building a patio at its 185 Main St. S. location. The restaurant expects to complete the installation soon. Call or visit them online for up-to-date information, including patio opening date and to make a reservation.

Metropolis Mercantile & Cafe's 20-person patio overlooks the Riverwalk Commons area, off Main St. It now has a liquor licence. Reservations are required.

Cachet Supper Club is accepting reservations -- more than 500 tables were booked just days after the province announced stage 2 reopening for Newmarket -- on 21 tables on the main patio, featuring an outdoor bar, sun coverings and a screen on which to virtually watch entertainment. An expanded patio featuring six tables is opening at the back of the Water Street restaurant overlooking Fairy Lake.

Hungry Brew Hops at 211 Main St. is offering patio dining, beginning at 11 a.m. daily.

HopBop Noodle Shop at 210 Main St. is not taking reservations, but walk-ins only on its expanded patio area.

Joia on Main will open 21 tables on its patio overlooking Riverwalk Commons tomorrow with a capacity for about 60 people. Reservations are coming in quickly, though there were still some openings for Friday lunch.

Ground Burger Bar is booking tables by telephone for its newly expanded patio on Riverwalk Commons.

The George Brew House and Eatery expects to have four picnic tables set up outside its 236 Main St. S. establishment. One of the tables can accommodate a family of six. Reservations are required.

The Grey Goat Pub & Grill is still working to ready its patio for customers and anticipates a Monday, June 22 reopening. Reservations are required.

The Keg on Yonge Street is only accepting same-day reservations online, weather permitting, with limited seating available on its patio beginning at 4 p.m. weekdays and 2 p.m. weekends.

Cardinal Press Espresso Bar has opened a takeout window, and will not be setting up tables and chairs outside at this time. The cafe is still offering delivery of coffee beans and coffee paraphernalia in the local area.

Villa Risa Ristorante will not be opening a patio, but will continue to serve take-out, delivery and catering.

The Olde Village Free House will open its patio June 19 at the back of the 196 Main St. S. pub, overlooking Market Square. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Walk-ins are available, reservations are limited. New rules are in effect, including no patrons inside the restaurant, groups are limited to five people, and there is a two-hour limit on tables. Call 905-836-5370 for more information.

Here's what's happening at Upper Canada Mall:

“When Upper Canada does open, it will do so with a number of safety features,” Simic said, including increased cleaning in high-touch and high-traffic areas, signage to guide customer traffic flow and social distancing, and hand sanitizer stations throughout the centre.

Take note that dine-in at indoor food courts is prohibited, fitting room access is restricted at this time, as is the number of people allowed into a store at one time to ensure physical distancing.

Also, due to physical distancing measures, there is limited capacity in elevators, washrooms, and some seating has been removed. Strollers, Smartecartes and kiddie rides have been suspended, along with Sole Mates and Stroller Mates.

Here's what's happening at the salons:

Services that tend to a customer’s face are not permitted at this time, such as facials, facial hair and eyebrow grooming, lash extensions, makeup application

Again, the provincial stage 2 protocols require appointments, so call ahead, walk-ins are not permitted. Be prepared to wear a face mask.

 

Be patient. Many businesses are prioritizing customers whose prior appointments were cancelled to due to the pandemic. Other salons are creating waiting lists, while some will give vulnerable clients priority during the first few days of opening.

Salon Onyx owner Jesse Kavanagh, for example, will open to the public on Tuesday, June 23, but will take clients who may be vulnerable beginning on June 19.

“We wanted to do something just like seniors’ hours at grocery stores, that way we can help out our most vulnerable as we reopen,” said Kavanagh, who runs the 16715 Yonge St., Unit 25 shop.

What else is open?