Local business owners weigh when to reopen, and with what new measures

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Many local businesses are trying to decide when to reopen now that they can, and what measures need to be taken.

The Hammered Lamb in Ivanhoe Village is deep-cleaning in order to partially reopen Friday.

The last few weeks have been “a struggle,” owner Jason Lambert said. The business did start offering takeout, but that’s not really paying the bills.

Limited dine-in will bring in more revenue but not like before.

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“We’ve cut a lot of expenses,” Lambert said. “We didn’t get rid of any employees, but we changed salaries around.”

That includes less management and getting rid of industry software and apps, Lambert said.

The restaurant will set up fewer tables, a hand-washing stand for customers, and staff will wear masks and gloves.

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A similar plan is already in place at Santiago’s Bodega in Orlando, with spaced-out tables on the patio. The dining room reopens Thursday.

A different person will take away dirty plates. Weekend brunch will remain but the buffet is “no more,” general manager Andy Tuttle said. Instead, there will be family-style plates.

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