SARASOTA-MANATEE (WSNN) – Suncoast restaurants are recognized for keeping employees and guests safe.
“We think that we’re doing what is best for our guests and our staff. There’s no different than going to a grocery store, gas station, and I feel safer here than I do anywhere else,” Anna Maria Oyster Bar’s managing partner, Tim Bingham, said.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar and Michael’s on East are two of 11 restaurants to earn a COVID-19 safety award from Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. Senior Vice President, Geoff Luebkemann, says building consumer confidence is critical at this time.
“The overarching objective is to demonstrate our commitment to public safety and to encourage people to visit our restaurants,” Luebkemann said.
The FRLA Seal of Commitment recognizes restaurants for meeting government regulations, having good standing Florida food service license, and participating in an FRLA COVID-19 training.
“It’s not just the sanitation and safety standards that we’ve all been accustomed to now in the news, but also helping hourly staff understand their role and management’s role in creating a safe environment,” Luebkemann said.
Bingham says staff conducts daily temperature checks, wiping everything down and using a fog machine to sanitize twice a day.
Bingham says they even created a specialized position focused on cleaning.
“We actually hired a person, all they do all day long is they sanitize the restaurant,” Bingham said. “They walk and clean anything that guests touch.”
For many of us, restaurants are about good food and socializing.
“I’m so glad they’re open and I can see a happy face and people that I know and love here,” AMOB regular customer, Betty Pepler said.
In a statement emailed to SNN, The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation says it is “operating under an increased statewide enforcement effort.” Spokesperson, Chris Kingry, says they’re monitoring restaurants and bars for compliance of Florida’s Phase 2 plan; operating at 50-percent capacity indoors. He says failure to comply will result in a warning and may be subject to penalties like suspension and restriction.
