Santa Barbara Restaurant and Bar Owners React to Pandemic

While all businesses are being affected by the COVID-19 shutdowns, restaurants and bars are taking it in the teeth, as the very thing that people are being advised not to do — hang out with others in close quarters — is the core of the hospitality industry. 

“The hospitality and transportation industries are the lockdown-impact ground zero,” said Mitchell Sjerven, owner of bouchon, who said business dropped in half last week, with 80 percent of group reservations canceled. “We cannot take advantage of the suggestions for other industries, like virtual classes or working remotely. We already wash our hands hundreds of times a day and socializing and social distancing are mutually exclusive. If the dearth of guests lasts beyond April, many operators will be forced to close.”

As of press time, bouchon remains open, as do the vast majority of restaurants around Santa Barbara, where there is yet to be a confirmed case of coronavirus. “We are open for business but will approach this day by day, much like we did for the Thomas Fire ashfall,” said Sjerven, referring to yet another restaurant-harming disaster in recent years.