NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A week into Metro's modified phase two and one bar owner is reacting to the past seven days.
Bob Franklin, CEO of Tin Roof, said he hopes the city increases the maximum capacity of guests allowed in bars in the city. Right now, only 25 people are allowed in bars.
"It's forward. Forward is the right direction. It's a direction that we'll take. We hope to that we're able to move a little bit quicker and sooner. We've got some people who are desperate to get back to work," said Franklin.
The downtown bars were shut down after reopening for a period of a few weeks earlier in the summer. Franklin said his bar was following the COVID-19 rules given by the health department, but his bar was still shut down.
He believes if more guests are allowed into bars, his staff would be able to handle it.
Also, normally the bar employs many hospitality workers, but is currently on a skeleton crew.
"It's revenue for sure. A bartender can make some tips. Someone in the kitchen can make some hours. It's positive but you're talking about maybe two employees per shift. So, if you've got 100 employees pre-pandemic on staff, you've got two employees, maybe that are back to work not counting the manager. You can tell there's a lot of people still on the side lines and this is just one establishment," said Franklin.
The bar isn't making enough money to pay the bills. Franklin said he's still grateful for the partial reopen.
