The owner of Mezzo Restaurant and Lounge says the move to Stage 3 in Windsor-Essex couldn't have come soon enough.
"Super excited to move into phase three and happy for a lot of other businesses."
Filip Rocca says he's been busy despite the pandemic, but bringing indoor dining into the equation is going to be a big help.
On the Monday, the province announced Windsor-Essex had been given the green light to head to Stage 3 of Ontario's COVID-19 reopening framework which allows restaurant patrons to eat inside with proper physical distancing measures in place.
Rocca says more options for customers means more business.
"We've had great success outside, but now we can go inside the restaurant. So we're just excited to offer the indoors for dining as well as the outdoors."
He says he may have to bring in more staff if things go well.
"We've been at pretty much full capacity with staff. So we might find a need to hire a few more on if business goes well with the indoor and outdoor dining for the next month or so until the weather gets a little colder."
Rocca says, while this is great news, we still have to play it safe.
"We definitely don't want to go backwards, not only for business, but for the safety of everybody. So it's not that difficult, just get it done and let's continue business and keep people safe and try to keep our businesses alive."
Windsor-Essex will move into Stage 3 Tuesday night at midnight.
Rocca says he'll begin indoor dining Friday and is asking customers to make reservations to avoid crowds outside the restaurant.
— with files from AM800's Rob Hindi