Community Chat

[golding76]

[Looks as though it might take some getting used to but should be fun.]

 A popular waterfront restaurant in Maryland has come up with a way to keep customers at a safe social distance that actually looks pretty fun.

Fish Tales Bar & Grill in Ocean City has bought new "bumper tables" that are surrounded by large inner tubes to keep diners from getting too close.

It's one of the creative ways restaurants are coming up with to keep their customers safe as states begin to ease restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.

At Fish Tales Bar & Grill, the custom-built tables look like huge 45 vinyl records and are on wheels, so people can walk in the restaurant's parking lot and bar area and mingle, while enjoying a cocktail or some food.

Maryland began reopening parts of the state on Friday as part of its multi-phased recovery plan. Under Stage One, retail businesses, manufacturers, houses of worship, and personal service businesses like barbers an... with limited capacity and other safety precautions.

Restaurants in the state are currently only allowed to offer delivery, takeout or drive-through service.

States that have opened for dining in have added restrictions. In Ohio, for example, tables need to be 6 feet apart or have barriers separating diners.

Governors perform balancing act to reopen

Fish Tales Bar & Grill owners Shawn and Donna Harman told CNN that they'll use the tables for customers who are waiting for tables or would normally sit at the bar.

"I mean, it's a novelty, it's cool. It's a great photo opportunity for them," Shawn Harman said.

They said it will also make it easier for restaurant staff to enforce social distancing.

"If you put the two tables together, you can't get within 6 feet of each other -- and it's fun," Donna Harman said.

Her cousin runs Revolution Event and Design and Production, the Baltimore company that is building the tables. Donna Harman said they talked about the idea for a couple of weeks and then she ordered 10 for the restaurant.

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The company also hopes to sell them to other restaurants and rent them for events.

Outdoor dining still isn't yet allowed, so the Harmans aren't sure when they'll be able to start using the tables.

Fish Tales just started offering takeout service on Friday, after delaying its season opening because of the pandemic. The restaurant usually opens around Easter and closes for the season in October.

"It just really didn't make sense for us to open any sooner because it's been a cold, wet spring, and there was really nobody to sell to," Shawn Harman said.

He said the crowds are starting to pick up, but they're hoping they can have outdoor seating in time to feed the hordes of Memorial Day tourists they're expecting.

Ocean City has already had to cancel or postpone a lot of big tourist events, but the Harmans said they'll be able to hold on.

"As far as the season goes, we don't anticipate anywhere near a normal summer, and we're prepared for that," Donna Harman said.

"Our goal for this year is to be here next year. It's as simple as that," Shawn Harman said. "We just want to make sure our employees are taken care of, and they can make enough money to get through the winter."

[SandySparkles]

😂😂😂. Sign me up because I LOVE this idea! When I am no longer sheltering in place here in Washington state, I will welcome the idea to have some fun! It will be awhile before I dare dine indoors, so this is an idea I would certainly entertain.!!😊 They remind me of baby walkers adult style-😂😂

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

[golding76]

PERFECT description, Sandy!  Adult-style baby walkers.

[sunshine45]

saw this on our local news tonight.......very interesting idea!

today i read that many of the restaurants at the delaware beaches will now be taking reservations (once in restaurant dining is approved.) the vast majority of restaurants on the delmarva beaches do NOT take reservations. this will guarantee that they dont accept more than they can handle......and hopefully keep a time limit on tables.

[Porcelain]

They do look like toddlers. I think this would be a great idea for bars. Anywhere people will want to drink, put a giant innnertube on them.

[sunshine45]

i wonder if they will be able to get this to work at seacrets?

[willdob3]

Not interested. 

[Moonlady]

Then there's a restaurant owner in SC who didn't want to use unsightly tape to cut off tables and booths. Instead, he's seated blow-up dolls to "people the scene" while enforcing social distancing. And his restaurant looks full lol.

Weird.

[ECBG]

@Moonlady They could have used ribbon with wire in it, for heaven's sake!!!

[Moonlady]

@ECBG 

LOL True.

I dunno...is that a green leisure suit the dummy on the left is wearing? He sure looks he's having a good time!🤣