I’ve been spending a lot of time considering how I can document life here in Anderson Township during the COVID-19 pandemic. Naturally, a human perspective from those who are affected most by this historic event came to mind first. And although my call to nurses to share their perspectives fell on mostly preoccupied ears, a local business owner seemed more than happy to talk about what everything means to him.
I sent Don Gilman, owner of The Lounge on Beechmont Avenue, a message to see if he would share his thoughts on everything that has been going on. I did a story on The Lounge back in January.
“I’d be glad to talk to you,” Don replied. “I’m pretty wide open at the moment.”
And yes he was. As we all know, Don, like all other bar and restaurant owners in Ohio, are subject to a special order from the state restricting food and beverage sales to carry-out and delivery only due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For Don and The Lounge, which has no kitchen, that completely wipes out any sales, unless of course you wanted to place an order for a bowl of pretzels or chips.
Don met me at the back door of The Lounge to let me in. I could tell his spirits were still high in light of the circumstances. He wore a kind of defeated smirk as we sat down to talk, obviously aware of the irony of his empty bar on Saint Patricks’s Day.
“I could sense last week that something was going to go down,” Don said.
The weekend before the restrictions went into place was very busy for Don. “It was off the hook. People were drinking like we were going to run out of alcohol. It was a really weird vibe – a different feeling.”
It’s almost like revelers knew their partying days were going to be over, at least temporarily.
Don found the following order posted on his door when he came to the bar this morning.
Q&A
Have you heard of any kind of enforcement presence to ensure these restrictions are being followed?
“I have not, but I would imagine they would be out today spot-checking.”
What are your feelings on the restrictions?
“I’ve been through all kinds of emotions. Initially, like probably all other business owners, I thought I’m not going to close down. What are they going to do to me? But then you start understanding why they are doing it. They talk about the six feet rule and we’re not even six inches from each other on a busy night. I get it it. People say people ought to be able to make their own decisions, but people aren’t going to make wise decisions. People are stubborn – like me. I’m just hoping the restrictions don’t go into May or July like they are talking. No business will be able to survive that. I’m hoping it’s just a 15-20 day thing to where they get it under control.”
Have you heard about what the penalties will be if the restrictions are not followed?
“I have not. I’m assuming they’d be pretty stiff fines or penalties.”
Are you worried for you business?
“Sure, I mean I can’t survive forever without customers, but I’m more worried for some of the other local businesses. In a two mile radius there are a lot independent businesses like Latitudes, Goodfellas, us, O’Neals, Arthur’s, The Varsity. We’re not all best friends, but we know each other. I go in their places and they come in here. All my patrons who come in here visit those places, so us independent guys are like a family. We all rely on each other, we all support each other.
I’m in a pretty good spot, I think, because I’m small. But some of these guys who have all these employees that are going to be laid off, are they going to be able to bounce back? I got a friend who owns a restaurant around here and he only did $180 in carryout orders yesterday. How long are some of these places going to be able stay afloat with just carry-out orders?
My fear is that this thing will throw us all into a big recession. This is impacting restaurants and bars directly right now but it could be impacting everyone eventually.”
Do you have any faith or expectations from the Federal Government for any kind of financial relief?
“Nobody has insurance for interruption of work for this type of thing as far as I know. I think there may be low interest loans available for companies, but they aren’t going to give out something for nothing I don’t think.”
What would your Saint Patrick’s Day Festivities have looked like today?
“We were planning on opening at 11:30am due to some requests. A bunch of girls wanted to come in and bring breakfast casseroles for everyone and have mimosas. We would have had a pretty good afternoon. Then from 7-10 we had karaoke scheduled.
There are a lot places that need this day. In fact, their whole year is determined by Saint Patrick’s Day. I’m fortunate enough to be in a position where today is just another day. If we do great, it’s a bonus – and if we don’t, it’s just another Tuesday.
Is there anything your patrons or customers can do to help out?
Some places are selling gift cards for people to use when they come back. I guess when we open back up, just support us – we’ll be here.
What’s your routine like now?
“Yesterday I came in and sanitized the whole place. I keep it pretty clean anyway but there are some things that I hadn’t done that needed to be done. Tomorrow? I don’t know, there’s not much to do. After four years you kind of have a routine. I guess I’ll come in and feed the fish.”
Karaoke Time
Don’s sense of humor in spite of things was refreshing. Since The Lounge is known for its karaoke, Don wasn’t going to let a global pandemic shut him down completely. I must say it was an honor to capture what might have been the only public karaoke performance in the State of Ohio on Saint Patrick’s Day 2020, even it was performed in front of empty seats.
It was a touching performance…lol. I could only imagine the applause it would have received.
Before I left, Don and I had an Irish breakfast shot. I couldn’t help but think that of all the Saint Patrick Days that I never drank a shot in a bar, this year, of all the years, would be the one that I did.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to everyone nonetheless.
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