The halt to COVID pandemic was difficult for Hamilton’s small businesses, but a restaurant in Hess Village suffered another setback.
In an Instagram post Wednesday, Electric dining room in George Street said all four heaters for their outdoor patio were stolen, leaving them with an unheated tent during the coldest nights of the year while indoor eateries were closed.
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Co-owner Erica Puckering told Global News that she received the call about the thefts manager’s thefts on Wednesday morning.
“To be honest, I burst into tears and had a very hard time,” she said. “Every closure, every pivot we made, I tried to keep my head on my shoulders and said: ‘OK, let’s go the next round. We got it. We’re going to keep going. We are not going to give up. “
“And today the wind just blew me away, because it was something I could not control.”
Electric Diner’s outdoor patio, which allowed the business to stay open throughout the entire pandemic.
Puckering said the city’s outdoor dining program, launched in 2020, “basically saved the business” through the entire pandemic and amid repeated restrictions on indoor dining.
“It has allowed us to actually give back all our staff’s hours completely. You know, we had no idea it would work so well. And it basically saved all our employees’ income and generated enough to cover all the bills. ”
Other businesses in Hess Village shared surveillance footage of the theft that is going on with Puckering and her team, and she said they contacted Hamilton police but are waiting to hear back.
By Wednesday night, Hamilton police had not yet responded to Global News’ request for comment on any possible investigation.
The theft comes before the Ontario government, which is teasing a “good announcement” for restaurants and gyms, possibly indicating that restrictions in those institutions could be lifted in the coming days.
Even with the easing of restrictions, Puckering said the outdoor patio is much more beneficial to their business.
“Our indoor space is small enough as it is, so this outdoor dining area we created, honestly… it’s going to be the thing that saves us. So we need it back. ”
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A GoFundMe is launched by Andiamo, the business next to Electric Diner, aiming to raise $ 12,000 to replace what was stolen.
Puckering also said Collective Arts Brewing has dropped off some heaters to help her restaurant temporarily and hopefully stick to a few reservations so the restaurant does not lose all the revenue they would normally make through personal meals.
George Street lit up at night, with Electric Diner’s outside porch.
Lisa Polewski / 900 CHML
She added that she is grateful for the support Electric Diner has received since she spoke out about the incident.
“Hamilton is just as supportive of each other, especially small businesses. I know we will have a decrease in what we have in discussions for this week, but I know that some people will still come out because that’s how wonderful everyone is. “
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Reference-globalnews.ca