The beloved local cafe has been notable for holding musical performances and events – but given the ongoing pandemic – it has made the decision to cancel all musical events going forward.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to make difficult decisions regarding their operations and their protocols. Tables and general seating have been expanded to encourage social distancing or have closed off entire areas, menus are disposable or online, just to name a few examples. Restaurants and cafes have been forced to make decisions regarding holding events , and this holds true for One World Cafe.
“Given that enclosed spaces and singing are both higher risk activities as far as spreading COVID-19, we decided that that in order to protect our staff and the community at large, we need to hold off on live events for now,” Brandy Sullivan, part owner of One World Cafe said.
They do plan on resuming events in the future, even though there is no set-in-stone date to resume them, Sullivan said. Even though this is encouraging regarding businesses taking COVID-19 safety seriously, it is unfortunate that a business so synonymous with those types of events can no longer hold them. One World Cafe is taking other COVID-19 protocols to ensure safety for staff and consumers.
“We have our tables 10 feet apart, have removed our soft furniture (couches, armchairs) for now, we’ve reduced sitting by half…and the kid’s area is closed,” Sullivan said.
In addition, there are markers on the tables to show whether they are clean or dirty, they turn on fans for air circulation, they offer curbside delivery or pickup, they only allow three parties to be inside at one time with stickers to indicate the line and have expanded outdoor seating and sticker-indicated lines on 6th Street.Though having events postponed at a cafe, locally famous for having them, it is encouraging that restaurants and local businesses chose not to move forward with events that are potentially dangerious during the pandemic. If all businesses are taking COVID-19 this seriously – hopefully we can get back to normal and jazz nights in no time.
Teren Kowatsch can be reached at [email protected].