WALKER, Mich. — While many restaurants are gearing up to welcome guests back indoors on Monday, some just aren't ready yet.
"We're excited to open back up but we just have to take a few things into consideration," says Tony Yu, manager of First Wok.
Yu says the 25% capacity limit isn't feasible with the restaurant's already limited space.
"We're only coded for 135 people here," says Yu. "So that's, I mean, maybe 33, 34 people in the restaurant at one time."
With customers coming back inside that means wait staff will have to return as well. And because of limited capacity and hours, that means there may not be enough shifts to go around for everyone.
"Lets say one person gets one shift," explains Yu. "Do you give it the next day to the same person or someone else to be fair?"
First Wok is also concerned about what may happen if they bring all the staff back right away just to potentially be shut down again.
"You don't want to get all your employees of off unemployment just to have them reapply afterwards and have them have a more difficult time," says Yu.
Yu hears regular takeout customers frequently ask when they'll be able to sit down inside for a meal again. But they feel good for the time being continuing the take out model.
"As of right now, knock on wood, we've been able to stay in business with just the carryout component," he says. "A lot of the community has come out to eat local."
First Wok will wait at least a couple more weeks to see the demand before deciding whether to reopen its dining room.
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