Restaurants and stores in Mason County were able to open their doors Monday after Gov. Whitmer moved the entire state into stage four.
“We are thrilled to have people back in our restaurant again,” says House of Flavors owner Barry Neal.
Neal says he’s been looking forward to seeing the smiling faces of guests sitting at his tables.
“We had people who were waiting for us when we got here this morning, ready to come in and get back to action,” Neal says.
Like many restaurants around the state, House of Flavors reopened their dining room at 50% capacity on Monday.
Neal says, “It was almost like we were nervous, not being able to do this for a while. It’s sort of like riding a bike though, you wonder if you still can do it; and yes, we can.”
Retail stores were also able to welcome customers through an open door.
Louann Reed, owner of ABC Kidz Consignment Shop in downtown Ludington, says, “I think people are just ready to get out and shop.”
Retail shops like Reed’s have been restricted to appointments only for the past few weeks, which she says was unpopular with her customers.
“Not everybody wants to make an appointment for retail, so that was a little hard,” Reed says.
Neal says although he’s cautiously optimistic for the future, today everything’s savory and sweet.
“Ice cream is about trying to be happy,” Neal says.
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