As Phase I reopening rolls out, restaurants find creative ways to serve while keeping you safe

As Phase I of reopening Florida gets underway, restaurants are allowed to seat up to 25% of capacity, and outdoor seating is allowed as long as people are at least six feet apart.

On Monday in Port Charlotte, more people could be seen out and about compared one week ago – with more people are making their way back into local restaurants.

Andrew Kontos is the general manager of All-Star Sports Grill, says his main focus is to get his employees back to work.

We introduced you to Kontos in March, the day Charlotte County enacted its local state of emergency and Governor Ron DeSantis announced a temporary ban on restaurant dining statewide. That ban limited dining to takeout and delivery.

Kontos said, “We were doing 10% of what our previous business was.”

Now that indoor dining is limited to 25% capacity, and those dining outside must be six feet apart, All-Star Sports Grill replaced parking spots with more outdoor seating.

“We’re keeping everybody separated,” he explained. “We’ve got separate tents with seating under each tent. This tent is for a bigger group because we can have up to 10 people.”

Making sure to keep tables clean, guests separated, and everyone safe.

Kontos joked, “You have to learn how to turn lemons into lemonade.” And do the best you can.

Phase I of reopening is already having a ripple effect. It helps the farms and other food suppliers of local restaurants.