Business Numbers For UC Restaurants Returning To Normal

Restaurants across the Upper Cumberland are slowly returning to normal numbers since reopening in May.

Cookeville’s 37 Cedar Restaurant is serving about the same amount of customers compared to before the pandemic. Co-Owner Kevin Maxwell said the restaurants outdoor seating helped keep customers returning.

“You try to do the right thing,” Maxwell said. “You are trying to stay safe, but also, you are trying to keep the doors open and keep employees with a job. There is a struggle there everyday day in, day out, of try to keep everybody safe.”

Maxwell said the restaurant tells all employees to stay home if they fell sick causing a shortness in staff. The restaurant still limits seating indoors and encourages the use of face coverings.

Crossville’s Beef and Barrel Lounge business dropped 60 percent when forced to move to curb side only. Owner Bruce Cannon said after reopening, June was the best month ever recorded.

“We opened at 50 percent, and then, of course, we went to 75 percent two weeks later,” Cannon said. “That is when we really started to have a big push. We are fortunate here at the Beef that we have huge outside patio areas covered and uncovered.”

Cannon said even though seating restrictions are lifted, the restaurant did not add more tables. The Beef and Barrel Lounge struggles to keep a full staff.

Bother owners agreed the people of their communities were ready to return to dining rooms.