How are our local restaurants faring?

[Sue Doe-Nym]

We are just wondering how the local restaurants providing takeout service are doing during this terrible crisis? We hope they’re able to hang on until the situation improves. Down here in Florida, where hospitality is the big thing, especially during the winter months, it’s looking pretty grim. We hope that many of those being affected will be able to return to some degree of normalcy. 🤞

[fatlazyless]

Stopping at the Meredith McDonald's take out window this afternoon was no problem because the Route 3 bridge closing over the Weirs channel has been postponed. Traffic was very light, and I was able to cruise right into the #2 spot, fast, at the take out window.

For $5.45, tax included, I got two yummy filet-o-fish sandwiches made with real Alaska pollock, caught in the Barrow Sea and frozen to lock in their yummy Alaska pollock flavor which tastes a whole lot better than anything ever caught in Lake Winnipesaukee.

[Hillcountry]

They are struggling here as they are there. Not being able to seat patrons and rely on take out to survive is proving difficult for everyone. All our local breakfast places are closed (tough to have breakfast take-out) some of the restaurants are fully closed for the duration.
The Tilt’n Diner, usually open and busy in the morning, was silent as my wife and I drove by yesterday to shop and run an errand. There are signs in windows that read “WE ARE OPEN” (for take-out) but there were no customers at that time.
Most are doing lunch and dinner only (that I know of)
I had heard the Route 93 rest areas were closed for food but open for gas and liquor. ( haven’t verified this, only heard it)
Tough times for the small businesses...

[fatlazyless]

The take-out window at the Meredith McDonald's seems like it is doing the same amount of business as always, maybe a little more. It now has new plexiglass petitions within the two window, transaction areas for personnel protection.

[SAMIAM]

Everyone I talk to in the business is hurting pretty badly but I think most will survive if we can get open by early May.
Restaurants have more overhead than other small business.
Even a medium sized restaurant will have nearly $2,000 monthly in utilities and many other services are on contract and paid monthly and many lease equipment.
Thankfully,we are doing 30 to 90 Take out dinners depending on the night which is a huge help but certainly not paying the bills.
Been doing sunday breakfast also but it's really not taken off.We're trying ,but breakfast doesn't seem to be a favorite for take out

[tis]

My heart goes out to you Sam and all the other restaurants that are struggling.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

The take-out window at the Meredith McDonald's seems like it is doing the same amount of business as always, maybe a little more. It now has new plexiglass petitions within the two window, transaction areas for personnel protection.

You're building up your immune system eating at McDonald's every day. If you can survive that, you can survive anything.

[Bigstan]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

They are struggling here as they are there. Not being able to seat patrons and rely on take out to survive is proving difficult for everyone. All our local breakfast places are closed (tough to have breakfast take-out) some of the restaurants are fully closed for the duration.
The Tilt’n Diner, usually open and busy in the morning, was silent as my wife and I drove by yesterday to shop and run an errand. There are signs in windows that read “WE ARE OPEN” (for take-out) but there were no customers at that time.
Most are doing lunch and dinner only (that I know of)
I had heard the Route 93 rest areas were closed for food but open for gas and liquor. ( haven’t verified this, only heard it)
Tough times for the small businesses...

I thought the same thing re: breakfast takeout until we got it from Water St.
It was great, I didn't think breakfast translated to takeout but they pulled it off.

There are huge signs at the Hookset plazas saying 'we are open'. But there are never more than a small handful of cars in the lot...

[thinkxingu]

Any updates on closings (for good) or reopenings? I've seen Hart's, Canoe, Town Docks, and Bob House have outdoor eating, but anyone else?

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[Little Bear]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Any updates on closings (for good) or reopenings? I've seen Hart's, Canoe, Town Docks, and Bob House have outdoor eating, but anyone else?

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I’ve been wondering about the Lodge at Smith Point in West Alton. They haven’t been open since March, and there’s been no signs of life or updates on their website. It’s a great place, so I hope they come back.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Little Bear

I’ve been wondering about the Lodge at Smith Point in West Alton. They haven’t been open since March, and there’s been no signs of life or updates on their website. It’s a great place, so I hope they come back.

My guess is that they have been waiting for the opening of indoor dining. I've not been inside since the Lodge opened, so I'm unsure of how much moving of tables will be required to accomplish the 6 ft buffer between seating areas.

Dave

[Descant]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

My guess is that they have been waiting for the opening of indoor dining. I've not been inside since the Lodge opened, so I'm unsure of how much moving of tables will be required to accomplish the 6 ft buffer between seating areas.

Dave

It won'tr be long now. Good space inside, good food and service. Like most places with a bar, that's harder to space out. If you have a dozen seats, cutting down to six, still doesn't leave much separation. I guess I can sit 2-3 feet away from my wife at a table, but can't sit next to her at a bar? Harder for the bartender to stay away, too.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Descant

It won'tr be long now. Good space inside, good food and service. Like most places with a bar, that's harder to space out. If you have a dozen seats, cutting down to six, still doesn't leave much separation. I guess I can sit 2-3 feet away from my wife at a table, but can't sit next to her at a bar? Harder for the bartender to stay away, too.

We have come to enjoy sitting at a nice bar, having a Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Martini, etc (or two), coupled with an appetizer or two. Probably spend the same amount of time, just slower paced. We'll have to wait until we see how they handle bar seating.

Dave

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Little Bear

I’ve been wondering about the Lodge at Smith Point in West Alton. They haven’t been open since March, and there’s been no signs of life or updates on their website. It’s a great place, so I hope they come back.

From the Lodge at Smith Point FB page today.

Well folks, the day we've been hoping for is 9 days away. RE-OPENING BABY! Mark, Jason, Chef Joshua will be meeting tomorrow to create and begin execution our Grand Re-Opening Plan, re-assembling the Team that made the Lodge such an inviting and fun place to be. We'll announce plans as they come together, but 15 June is the day! Stay tuned!!!

Dave

[Little Bear]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

From the Lodge at Smith Point FB page today.

Dave

That’s great news! Thank you

[SAMIAM]

Everyone in the business that I talked to expected to reopen with 50% seating to last well into the summer season. Very surprised that the governor is allowing 100% but social spacing will probably leave us with 60% or so. Better than nothing.

[baygo]

I’m glad the governor has lifted restrictions on restaurants however skeptical about how long this will last. In order to re-open I will have to make a significant investment in reassembling and training a team. I would also have to restock shelves. I am not comfortable making that investment at this time. Theoretically there should be a tremendous spike in a couple of weeks due to all the protests and riots around the country. Therefore it would not surprise me if restaurants are shut back down in three weeks. If that’s the case everything invested to get opened up now would be lost.

Another obstacle I face is that my tavern kitchen staff is having so much fun operating trolley 27 and our beer garden that they don’t have any interest in going back inside.

To sum it all up; Tavern 27 will remain dormant until I recognize signs of a more stable scenario..

[WinnisquamZ]

Lacking the knowledge of running a restaurant I can’t commit on your position. I will say I find it’s sad you have to take this path.
So if I read correctly the Trolley will remain open and so will the beer garden?



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[baygo]

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Lacking the knowledge of running a restaurant I can’t commit on your position. I will say I find it’s sad you have to take this path.
So if I read correctly the Trolley will remain open and so will the beer garden?



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Thank you for your concerns, but no need to be sad. I love the game of golf because it’s such a difficult game that when the good shot is hit it provides an amazing sense of reward. This chapter of my life is exciting because it is perhaps the most challenging, however that means that when I come out of it hitting a shot, that will provide me with a tremendous sense of reward.

You are correct in assuming that the trolley will remain open as well as the beer garden. They’re both doing amazingly well, which puts a smile on my face.

[map]

Even with the lifting of some restrictions they are having a hard time getting staff because people are making much more on unemployment + the extra $600 per week than they would be working.

Last year things were tough with getting help so imagine now.

[radioman]

Baygo, what are the hours of operation and assume service is in the back??

[Biggd]

This is a very challenging time for restaurants, esp in resort area's, where they have a short season to make money. The strong will make it and the ones that don't will give way to new business minded start ups. It's sad to see hard working businesses close but that is just the way it is.

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[FlyingScot]

Hey Baygo,

Until now you've been too modest to post the name of your restaurant, so I just looked you up on Facebook. I love the highbrow food paired with the bikers photo. It's a great way of saying the lake should be for all. I'm on the other side of the lake, but will stop in the next time I'm in Laconia. Cheers!

[baygo]

Originally Posted by radioman

Baygo, what are the hours of operation and assume service is in the back??

Yes service is in the back under the old carriage house.
Monday and Tuesday 8AM to 3PMish Thursday thru Sunday 8AM to 8PM. Very relax environment.