August 9, 2020

SUMMER BUSINESS BOOMING — AND THAT’S NO TRUMPISM

MUSKOKA — While the pandemic has undoubtedly hit many hard, for the most part it’s business as usual in the Muskokas.

Streets are teeming with people in masks and traffic is backed up.

And that’s no Trumpism.

Tourist attractions are seeing a steady flow of permanent and seasonal residents, tourists and visitors returning.

And positive cash returns.

The new normal is the old normal — with added cafes and patios doing booming takeout business with lineups out onto the streets.

Gravenhurst’s McDonald’s may have “drastically” cut back its in-house seating, says manager Chris Lewis, but their-drive through is busy as usual.

He says “McDonald’s has had dine-in seating available since July 20th, just after we were permitted to do so when our area entered Stage 3 of the Framework for Reopening the province.

“However, we are at dramatically reduced capacity in order to maintain physical distancing, and are limited to four guests at the front counter area, and 19 seated in the dining room. We also continue to offer curbside pickup through our mobile app.”

He added that a “temporary incident of cash-only occurred on Friday Aug. 7 from about 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

“It was due to a province wide debit and credit outage that was out of our control that impacted multiple businesses including McDonald’s. We normally accept all methods of payment.”

If businesses are suffering, it’s not from a lack of opportunity for the opportunities are endless if you have a drive to succeed.

Successful business people are working harder and making the most of a bad situation by re-inventing themselves and providing customer service they should have done years ago.

And it can be done, many a smart entrepreneur has proven it.

It’s right there staring you in the face if you can get out and look around.

(And smell the roses, while you’re at it.)

Sarah Goosens, of the PolarDip Ice Cream Shoppe has been busy all summer safely feeding the masses at the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst.

Crowds are strolling the long boardwalk and now with the Wenonah II sailing again, it’s a great place to treat yourself on Lake Muskoka.

She’s adapted to the coronavirus with a speaker system to take orders and wearing masks and returning change wrapped in a tissue.

There’s minimal customer contact save for dishing out the ice cream and hot and cold goodies.

From ice cream parlours to boat rentals to cottage rentals Muskoka’s brand hasn’t taken a hit it can’t easily recoup its losses.

The high season in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, Bala, Port Carling and all surrounding communities was really only cut short a couple of good weeks after the tradition July 1 kickoff.

On July 17 Muskoka moved into Stage 3 of the Framework for Opening the Province.

Nearly all businesses and workplaces are allowed to operate while following proper public health and safety guidelines.

Restrictions on gatherings apply to business operations in both indoor and outdoor settings such that:

Indoor gathering limits are a maximum of 50 people.
Outdoor gathering limits are a maximum of 100 people.
In all cases, individuals are required to maintain physical distancing of at least two metres with people from outside their households or social circles.
All businesses, services and public spaces when hosting an event are subject to indoor or outdoor gathering limits and ensuring physical distancing can be maintained.
People at their place of work, including performers and crews, do not count towards gathering limits.

This guidance document provides recommendations to help stop the spread of COVID-19 when organizing and attending an indoor or outdoor event or gathering.

For a listing of all restrictions please visit A Framework for Reopening our Province: Phase 2: Restart — Stage 3