A pub is all about socializing, but, given the world is experiencing a pandemic, health officials are encouraging social distancing as the best tool to fight the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
That’s why, even before the closure of pubs and bars was officially ordered on Tuesday by the provincial public health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, O’Hare’s in Steveston had already decided to close.
Over the past week, the coronavirus outbreak has been escalating and every day has brought new measures from the government to limit travel and social interaction.
O’Hare’s owner Grant Bryan saw this situation escalating and people being told to distance themselves from each other to combat the spread of coronavirus. He realized his business model was not aligned with keeping people safe from the virus.
So, early Tuesday, Bryan informed his 45-member staff they would be closing operations indefinitely and then they let their customers know via social media. Later that day the order came down from the provincial government.
“Our whole business model is to bring people together and that’s exactly what we should not be doing,” said Bryan, who co-owns the pub with his wife Erinn.
Right now, the owners are focused on survival and getting through the year – if they make it through this pandemic without even a penny in profit, Bryan will consider this year a success.
Even though they are closed, there are thousands of dollars of fixed costs every month, Bryan explained.
There is no talk of growth or new markets at this point - it’s time to reduce risk.
“It’s not about making money – it’s about mitigating the hemorrhage of money,” he added.
Their liquor store continues to operate, but they are asking their customers to keep a safe distance and only touch what they plan to buy. They are not accepting empty bottles at this time.
The hard part is the uncertainty, because no one has a timeline on how long it will be before the coronavirus pandemic is over and life returns to normal, Bryan said.
Right now, they are taking it day to day, watching whether things get worse before they get better.
Bryan said people are their business and they don’t take them for granted, and so they will do what they can to keep them safe.
Bryan encourages people to shop local but to stop hoarding.
“(Hoarding) causes panic and anxiety and, ironically, makes people move around even more as they continue to shop for what they are looking for,” he said.
Despite the situation he finds himself in, Bryan is encouraging everyone to “practice kindness and concern for themselves and their neighbour.”
“We’re all in this together and we will come out of it together,” he said.
For more of our COVID-19 coverage, click here.
