Restaurants eager to know if they can ever run at full capacity

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Restaurants are making the decision to reopen or not and are wondering exactly how and when to do it.

Webb Custom Kitchen owner Jim Morasso attended a Chamber of Commerce webinar on preparing to reopen and said it was very helpful.

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"The word ‘ready’ hasn't been defined yet," Morasso said.

In a few weeks, the state’s reopening plans could allow restaurants to reopen dining rooms but at limited capacity. Morasso said that’s not practical for fine dining.

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“I wouldn’t be able to do it. I would be operating at a loss,” he said.

There has been no date set for tier three, which is when they can increase dine-in capacity.

Morasso said it would cost too much for such to feed too little. In fact, he made the decision to shut down and feed his staff for free when the stay-at-home order began.

"Since we have been closed, with the exception of a few gift certificates, we have done zero business," Morasso said.

The rest of his staff is waiting for a time when more than half the restaurant can open.

“There are 110 people who are yearning to work and that are hurting deeply to provide for their families. It’s a very stressful time,” he said.

He would like the state to open all restaurants as soon as possible so restaurants can operate at near capacity.

“I truly believe it’s time to turn this thing back on and let business be business,” he said.

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