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Things are looking up for fans of Peninsula Grill on the Old Mission Peninsula. The popular eatery, which has been offering takeout orders throughout the COVID-19 shut-down, announced on their Facebook page today that they will open at 50 percent capacity on Friday, May 22, beginning at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and dinner service for the Memorial Day weekend.
“We look forward to serving you again!” notes their Facebook post.
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The news followed today’s press conference by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in which she announced an Executive Order loosening some restrictions in Michigan’s Regions 6 and 8, which encompass the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan, including Traverse City and the Old Mission Peninsula.
Beginning Friday, May 22, the industries that may open in these regions include:
- Retail stores
- Restaurants/bars with limited seating
- Office work that cannot be done remotely
The openings are part of Gov. Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan to re-engage Michigan’s economy. However, restaurants and bars must limit capacity to 50 percent of their normal seating, keep groups at least six feet from one another, require servers to wear face coverings, follow rigorous disinfection protocols, and follow the guidelines outlined in Executive Order 2020-92.
Gov. Whitmer urged Michiganders to continue following COVID-19 precautions to avoid another shut-down. “As we approach Memorial Day weekend, I encourage everyone to be smart and be safe,” she said. “This is a new way of dining. We’re going to be doing this slowly and engaging slowly.”
She added, “If you’re in the U.P. or Traverse City and choose to go out to a restaurant or store, please do everything in your power to protect yourself from this virus. Our ability to move forward in other regions depends on each of us staying smart and staying safe … Let’s not all go rushing out and force another closure. We want to keep moving forward. Everyone needs to do their part.”
Justin Winslow, President and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, said the governor’s announcement today marks an important step in the industry.
“Restaurants in the U.P. and northern Michigan understand that with their opportunity comes an extraordinary responsibility to operate in a manner that ensures the safety of their guests and their employees,” he said. “I believe they are up to the challenge.”
Traverse City Mayor Jim Carruthers was also at today’s press conference with Gov. Whitmer. “All regions of Michigan have been affected by COVID-19, and Up North, we want to support the Governor by cautiously opening up some of our economy resources,” he said. “However, in doing so, we must be mindful that wearing masks and continuing to practice social distancing is a must to make this work. Stopping the spread of this virus is still key, and if we can’t, then we will have to close it down again.”
Region 6 in Gov. Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan includes the following counties: Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, and Emmet.
SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper.
Because Old Mission Gazette is a "Reader Supported Newspaper" -- meaning it exists because of your financial support -- I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks our way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the OMP. In a time when local news is becoming a thing of the past, supporting an independent community newspaper is more important now than ever. Thank you so much for your support! -Jane Boursaw, Editor/Publisher, Old Mission Gazette
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[…] Michigan is starting to open back up after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s shut-down orders over the past two months to halt the spread of […]
[…] the Old Mission Peninsula, The Boathouse and Peninsula Grill are now open at 50 percent capacity and also continue to offer takeout. Old Mission Tavern, Jolly […]
My wife and I ate outside on the patio yesterday at the Grill; it was great! They’ve made some nice changes outside.