SOME LOCAL BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS REOPENING, OTHERS STAYING PUT

  

Retail businesses and restaurants are among the select locations that can open their doors to 25 percent capacity starting tomorrow (Friday), but many locations locally have differing strategies for how they will conduct business in the coming weeks.

In Brenham, places like Hermann Furniture, the Book Nook, and many of the boutiques in downtown Brenham will remain open for business as normal, while continuing to take proper precautions.  Stores like Ballad of the Bird Dog, Chantilly Grace, and Puppy Dawgs and Cat Tails are opening their doors.  Meanwhile, locations like Westwood Cinema 6 and Horseshoe Junction will remain closed into May.

Amy Appelt, owner of Amy’s Unique Boutique in Bellville, says her store will enforce store occupancy limits and maintain strict cleaning regimens.

 

For restaurants, places like Pioneer Smokehouse and Mercantile, according to owner Mark Renn, have been providing curbside and takeout, but will now open its doors to a trimmed down dining area.

 

Lone Star Southern Grill is also offering limited dine-in seating, as are Brenham Grill, Volare Italian Restaurant, and Yumm! Sweets and Eats.  LJ’s BBQ will offer limited patio seating starting next week, in addition to its curbside and to-go options.  Must Be Heaven will open its inside seating on Saturday.  The Kenney Store is planning to open to 50 percent capacity and offer live entertainment this weekend, as it is located in Austin County with only five active COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, operations at locations like BT Longhorn Steakhouse, Bevers Kitchen, Las Americas Latin Cuisine, Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant, Mariachi’s Mexican Restaurant, and Smitty’s Café and Bakery remain unchanged, with no inside dining offered.

Nathan’s BBQ announced this (Thursday) afternoon that one of its employees tested positive for COVID-19.  In response, the restaurant is temporarily suspending all takeout and delivery orders, and will remain closed until further notice.