SHELBYVILLE, Ky. — After more than a year of shutdowns and capacity limitations, Kentucky restaurant owners are now able to reopen fully.
What You Need To Know
- As of Friday, most of Kentucky's COVID-19 restrictions have expired
- According to state records, more than 2 million people have received their COVID vaccine
- Claudia Sander's Dinner House received more than $200,000 in PPP loans
- The business, like several others in Kentucky, is dealing with a staff shortage
Mitzi Tinsley is a waitress at Claudia Sander's Dinner House in Shelbyville. She tells Spectrum News 1, "It’s just hard to stay afloat. Its really hard to stay afloat. I’m behind on everything I have."
61-year old Tinsley has been a waitress at the restaurant for nearly a decade. But during the pandemic, she saw her share of ups and downs.
"Some days you might make $100 dollars some days you might make $30. So, it is extremely hard to plan for all your bills," Tinsley said.
On Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order ending Kentucky's mask mandate and capacity limits for businesses.
But Tinsley said the effects of those restrictions will continue for some time.
"Even as guests are coming back in I notice the tips are not as large you know and I’m sure its because everybody has been struggling," Tinsley suggested.
Restaurant co-owner Cherry Settle said she's trying to find people to work, a problem many restaurants are facing. The family owned restaurant’s banquet room is also ready to welcome guests back after months of sitting empty, racking up bills without taking any revenue.
With over 80 employees, Settle said the government assistance was a lifeline after receiving more than $200,000.
"Thank goodness the government did come up with a PPP loan which is [Paycheck] Protection Plan and that did help because our payroll is quite high," Settle said.
Meanwhile, health leaders like Dr. Gary Marshall, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and University School of Medicine, are hopeful the ease of restrictions and mask wearing doesn’t prevent people from receiving the vaccine.
"We all feel like the burden has been lifted. It's very important to understand the reason COVID-19 is going away is because people are getting vaccinated," Dr. Marshall said.
Through it all, restaurant employees are trying to remain optimistic. "Plan ahead and save and don’t take anything for granted," Tinsley said.
Claudia’s Sander’s Dinner House management said they have several open positions ready to be filled.