PROVINCETOWN, Mass. — As one of the few year-round restaurants open in Provincetown, the owners of the Canteen thought they were ready for tourists to start arriving.
However, on the first nice day this spring, they found that some out-of-town customers weren’t as cooperative as the locals had been.
“We did not expect that some people did not want to follow the rules and that we would have to design systems with the worst-case scenario in mind but it’s been heartbreaking – it’s one thing as a business owner to serve guests myself and put myself at risk and you know I have to live with that myself but if I’m also putting my staff at risk it broke my heart when someone would hand food to someone and they got in their face or was doing something that wasn’t socially distant or following the rules," said Rob Anderson the Canteen’s chef and co-owner.
Anderson shared his experience by writing an article for The Atlantic magazine saying, “Now that our first summer with the coronavirus is at hand, I’m terrified. Without really clear regulations about what is going to keep my staff and my guests safe I’m left doing the best that I can and I am doing the best that I can but I don’t have a degree in epidemiology, I don’t have a degree in public safety.”
Although he says most people are following the rules, the few that don’t are putting his staff at risk. They even briefly took popular items like lobster rolls of the menu to focus on local customers only.
“It was sort of a rude awakening that some people weren’t, so we do have to act as sort of enforcement officers," Anderson said.
He said he wishes there was more guidance but that they are figuring it out, lobster rolls are back along with other favorites.
They are just pleading with customers to be patient and understand the need for the rules.
“We are all in this together and to get through this together we have to sort of be kind, we have to be accommodating we have to be respectful, we can’t operate like we normally do we have to have extra levels of grace, care and kindness to each other," he said.
The Canteen has also been offering more than just its takeout menu, they have groceries as well and have even given out food to locals in need.
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