As restaurants prepare to open their doors again on Monday with Phase 3 of the “Re-Open Saskatchewan” plan beginning, there is “cautious optimism” that people will return to sit down and have a meal.

The industry does realize though there are some who despite the safety measures that are being put in place including reduced capacity that some won’t want to go for a while.

Jim Bence is the president and CEO of the Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association. He acknowledges that will be a problem and hopes those people on the fence won’t stay away for long.

“We need folks to get comfortable quick.” Bence said. “There are two camps out there. There are folks just itching to go out because it has been a long ten weeks.  Some are ready to go out and be safe about it, but there are others who received the message loud and clear that there are risks associated and walking into a restaurant could still be risky so they are going to wait before reacting. We understand that, but we hope that through word-of-mouth they will see its OK and they will dip their toe into the water.

Bence says the dining experience, like everything else, is different now and that customers need to understand that and have the right frame of mind.

” Things have changed forever and I think people realize that.” Bence said. “I think they also realize that owners of the many establishments across the province want to keep them safe and their employees safe. They just want to keep doing what they have been doing and to get that customer support back.  I think that can happen, but it won’t be overnight.”

As for how many won’t be re-opening their doors, Bence knows some won’t re-open immediately but they will.  As for those who have decided they will not be re-opening and are closing for good, Bence hopes the percentage across Saskatchewan is small.  A few restaurants in Regina including Tony Roma’s in the south end and Joey’s Only in the east end  have said they are closing for good.