NoDa Arts District: NoDa Businesses Welcome Return To Normalcy As COVID Restrictions Ease

Press release from the NoDa Arts District:

Liz OConnell

June 2, 2021

Cooper’s return to normal plan was put in place immediately, and crowds of happy faces poured in on North Davidson Street as businesses opened Friday night, ready to take on the revitalized energy.

Crepe Cellar Haberdish Growlers Reigning Doughnuts

“We’re going to have our staff wear masks this evening,” Brown said on the first night of the mask mandate being lifted. “Possibly through the weekend, we just haven’t figured that out yet, and we’re probably going to do that so people can get the news. We’re afraid some people won’t get the news yet.”

Brown’s restaurants will take a few weeks to transition into the 100 percent capacity because of staffing and supplies. They will need to hire more employees to ensure a smooth run at full capacity.

Cabo Fish Taco

“We’re at 75 percent capacity because that’s what the governor allows us, but we’re ready for 100 percent,” Stovall said. “We could put all our tables back in tomorrow. I’ve been trying to staff up in order to do this, which is probably the hardest thing restaurants have been dealing with right now.”

“When you say capacity, you can fit more people in a restaurant; to me this past year tells me that doesn’t matter because of to-go orders,” Stovall said. “To-go orders have become such a big staple. It has been an adjustment in the kitchen as well. Capacity wise, I think we’re ready because we’ve been slammed just in to-go orders alone.”

Stovall said plans were still being discussed on how to proceed with the mask mandate being lifted but believed they would have a better idea after the first “normal” weekend back.

“The slow times during this past year have been boring for us,” Stovall said. “We want to see people and we want people to come here.”

“It’s really nice to see, especially at those (businesses) that have been there for a long time,” Brown said. “People are really starting to come back out over the last couple of weeks.”

“This past year was literally just making it,” Brown said. “Now we can get more creative with more people in the door and demand for it.”

This press release was produced by the NoDa Arts District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.