Sunday is the new Saturday for bar owners this weekend in Saskatchewan.
The owner of the Crystal Springs Hotel and Bar is one of many that are rejoicing as all public health restrictions are set to expire on Sunday, July 11.
Marjorie Murphy told northeastNOW it has been a tough go for the bar throughout the pandemic, so this is very exciting times.
“Once we open up and people are allowed to stay in and we can stay open until two in the morning, it will be something new and fun,” Murphy said.
The bar has been able to stay open within restrictions for the most part but did have to temporarily close a couple of times due to increased nearby cases of COVID-19.
Murphy operated with minimal staff and said a large portion of the time was just herself and one other employee.
“We were always open for off-sale and take-out and food began to become quite popular here and now we need at least two people during meals,” Murphy said. “In some ways, it has been good but then there have been things that have been not so good about the pandemic.”
Being in proximity of lakes, Murphy is hopeful things will pick-up even more over the summer with more people being in the area.
This Sunday, the bar will celebrate the lifting of restrictions by hosting Saskatchewan country music artist and local Marty Grambo from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
“This is actually his hometown and so I asked him to come in with Sunday being the beginning of no restrictions,” Murphy said. “We are looking forward to having him and being at full capacity and just having fun.”
Last summer, the annual street dance in Crystal Springs was cancelled and will not go ahead again this year. Down the road in Yellow Creek, a street dance is planned for July 23 that will also feature music by Grambo.
The same sigh of relief is being felt by fellow bar owner Hank Ukrainetz in Bradwell, east of Saskatoon.
“I’ve had to be an enforcer of public health orders in a line of business with some customers that don’t take too kindly to change and being told what to do,” Ukrainetz said. “I’m extremely happy that my workers and myself will no longer have to do that duty.”
Hank’s Tavern is known around the province for featuring live music on a regular basis and has won several SCMA awards for music venue of the year.
With having to ensure that everyone is maintaining distance, including bandmates, Ukrainetz decided to go with acoustic sessions. This way, live music could stay in the community, and she would still be able to support musicians as she has in her ten years of ownership.
“The Hank’s COVID Acoustic Sessions have gone over very well. It has brought out new artists that have never been to the tavern before,” Ukrainetz said. “I’ll definitely be hiring some of the artists full bands once band season opens up again in the fall.”
The tavern typically takes a break from live music over the summer months.
When the provinces public health order expires is precisely when patrons and staff alike will see many changes again at the tavern.
“As the clock strikes 12, everything will go back to the way it was before,” Ukrainetz said. “Barriers will be removed, all tables and chairs will be situated to capacity, workers and patrons can take their masks off if they choose to, and beverages will be served until 2 a.m.”
Patrons are excited to dance and sing at the top of their lungs, while others just want to sit up at the main bar, the most popular place to sit, in “their spot” surrounded by other regular customers, Ukrainetz said.
“Mostly, customers are looking forward to not be restricted from walking around with no mask and socializing with their friends,” Ukrainetz said.
Enforcing the wearing of masks, the number of people at tables, and social distancing was a huge struggle and are all things the staff at bars will not be sad to see gone according to Ukrainetz.
“I am extremely grateful to all of the regular and new customers who supported Hank’s Tavern for the past 15 months and ‘Stuck thru Covid,’” she said.
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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser
