SAN ANTONIO — The Rustic San Antonio is preparing to reopen its dining room, outdoor patio and bar areas Friday after shutting down in March during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The move to allow customers back into the establishment comes after the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said restaurants with majority food sales could open back up at a 25 percent capacity.
“Everything is a scramble right now. We are all just trying to regain our footing and understand where we are at. In any crisis, the first step is to stabilize and the second step is to get a plan,” said Kyle Noonan, owner of FreeRange Concepts.
FreeRange Concepts owns popular Texas spots such as The Rustic, Bowl & Barrel, Mutts Canine Cantina and The General Public. Noonan says the decision to reopen The Rustic was made based on the restaurant’s large size and open, outdoor spaces— a luxury his other establishments don’t have.
“We have the capacity to actually seat a couple hundred people at 25 percent and it makes sense for us to open from a business standpoint but also from a social awareness [standpoint],” Noonan said.
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Noonan says the restaurant industry is used to practicing safe and sanitary environments. However, due to the pandemic and strict state guidelines, he says his staff has been working on creative and innovative ways to cater safely to guests.
“We are adding a butler service so you as a consumer do not have to touch a door handle. We have cleaning captains and they’ll be going through and just 24/7 wiping surfaces down. Then we are also doing paperless menus,” he said.
Staff will also be provided face masks, gloves and other sanitizing products to increase their safety.
“We can’t wait to come back and take care of people because that is ultimately what we are here for,” Noonan said.
Longtime customer Lisa Valdez says she cannot wait to book a table for Friday.
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“It’s my birthday on Friday so I’m really excited that I can have a drink at my favorite bar,” Valdez said.
Despite the ongoing pandemic, Valdez says she feels safe and plans to abide by any rules when going out.
“I don’t mind sitting six feet from another table. It’s for our safety so I’m good with that,” she said.
As for anyone unsure about going out, both Noonan and Valdez agree it’s ultimately up to the patron to decide what’s best for his or her safety. However, they hope people will consider it.
“Please come to restaurants. Hopefully ours, but if not, then support somebody else’s. You’re gonna have a good time, and let’s create memories starting on Friday,” Noonan said.