Kannapolis restaurant stops outdoor dining due to coronavirus restrictions

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — As restaurants grapple with changing business models of delivery and takeout during the coronavirus outbreak, Lee’s Sandwich Shop in Kannapolis thought they found a loophole.

“I like to work all the rules to my advantage,” owner Chic Suggs told Channel 9’s Anthony Kustura.

Suggs converted the parking lot of his family business into an outdoor seating area, dependent on weather. But shortly after word got out, they were forced to bring all their tables and chairs back indoors.

“Why not dine outside and do all the tables outside? I took a chance and I done it,” Suggs said.

Days after Suggs made the announcement on Facebook, police tweeted a reminder that all on-premise dining at restaurants, both inside and outside, is prohibited.

They said delivery, drive-thru and take-out is still allowed, but it is important to maintain social distancing.

Loyal customers looking for a break outside of isolated life came running for the opportunity to “dine-in” somewhere.

In order to keep the operation going, Suggs followed a series of protocols that included a distance of at least 6 feet or more between each set of chairs.

“We can’t do any service of any kind. We can only hand them their food. We can’t refill their drinks, we can’t give them real plates, we had to do Styrofoam and paper products,” Suggs said.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order forced restaurants and bars to close dine-in services this week. Initially, the order allowed “onsite consumption in outdoor seating areas, subject to mass gathering restrictions."

Since then, the state has clarified the executive order to say “Restaurant staff are not permitted to serve patrons indoors or in the outdoor seating area...If a restaurant has outdoor seating, onsite consumption in the outdoor seating area is not permitted.”

In a statement on Facebook, Lee’s Sandwich shop said “The dining-out was fun while it lasted! So now, it is strictly carry-out only.”

© 2020 Cox Media Group