Backroads Pub And Grill Values Safety Over Revenue Amid Pandemic

PLAINFIELD, IL — After briefly reopening once the state moved to Phase 4 on June 26, Backroads Pub and Grill in Plainfield has once again decided to suspend indoor dining services starting Tuesday.

Owners Dave and Stacey Harris announced in a Facebook post that as of now only outdoor seating will be accommodated along with to-go orders.

"After the recent number of COVID-19 cases surging in multiple states, the CPHD issuing the Emergency Travel Order effective July 6, and numerous travelers over the holiday weekend, we thought it would be the perfect time to implement the closing of indoor dining," Dave said.

He said from the responses they received since reopening their indoor dining room, guests were pleased to see the removal of some tables for proper social distancing, thereby providing a lot of space.

Despite losing a portion of his revenue due to this decision, he said "we do still feel that people are pretty resistant and just not ready for indoor dining, which we completely understand."

With approval of patio expansion from the village, the eatery had opened May 29 after several months of a coronavirus-induced hiatus.

"With the village allowing us to expand our patio resulted in us being able to do more sales than we otherwise would have. We are forever grateful for that," Dave said. "Our Guests have provided us with positive feedback. They feel safe and comfortable when dining outside as the patio extension provides ample room to follow the appropriate social distancing guidelines."

Financial hardships notwithstanding, Backroads has retained its staff members and even brought on a few new hires. He said the Plainfield community has offered "overwhelming support" during these trying times.

"We could not find enough words to show our appreciation to the community," he said. "Every time you support a small business, you support a dream. There’s something to say about communities that rally and support those in need, and this is definitely one of them. We are very lucky and indebted. They have been with us every step of the way."

Dave said they will re-open indoor dining "in the next couple of weeks or so," as this allows the self-quarantine to do its part in the event any of the travelers were exposed. In addition, the restaurant has installed Plexiglass between the booths and a few walls.

"Since opening in May, we have over staffed our restaurant to ensure proper sanitation measures are taken and will continue to do so, until the foreseeable future," Dave said.

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