Dane Bourdo delivers food at Home Slice Pizza as part of their curbside pickup service on Monday. [LOLA GOMEZ / AMERICAN-STATESMAN]▲
Austin retailers, restaurants and other businesses late Monday were just beginning to process what Gov. Greg Abbott's reopening plan means to their businesses.
Abbott announced Monday that the first phase of his plan to reopen the Texas economy will begin Friday, allowing all retailers, restaurants, movie theaters, malls and museums to reopen May 1 at 25% of their licensed capacity. Museums and libraries also can reopen with the same occupancy numbers.
Many small businesses are still deciding whether to open their doors on Friday, said Dixie Patrick of the Austin Independent Business Alliance.
"Retailers in Austin were still adjusting to the retail-to-go order that went into effect last Friday when these new broader guidelines were announced," Patrick said. "While the prospect of sales is exciting, we find that, overall, business owners are approaching any attempt at reopening cautiously with the health and safety of their employees and customers at the forefront."
Mallary Carroll, owner of Austin boutiques Good Company and Good Home, has been doing business by curbside and delivery since temporarily closing her shops on March 18.
Carroll said she has no immediate plans to reopen.
"Delivery has been going well because this community is amazing and everyone has really supported us," Carroll said. "But I just can't imagine reopening right now. The safety of our customers and our team is certainly what's most important."
Jason Sabala, the owner of Buzzmill, a coffee, beer and booze bar, predicted his business would wait at least a week or two before opening up again. Buzzmill has been serving to-go and delivery from its onsite food trucks since closing.
"I really wasn't expecting this." Sabala said. "This is a huge surprise hearing that it's that early."
Sabala said he originally expected the earliest opening would be May 18 and still plans to take baby steps.
Opening up the business would require bringing more employees back in, as well as making sure that plans for proper social distancing and safety policies are in place. He also predicted that customers won't rush back to bars and businesses.
"We're real tight-knit with our community and I've been delivering to a lot of the homes and talking to a lot of people in the community, and I just don't feel (opening) is a benefit today." Sabala said.
When Buzzmill does open, tables will be spaced six feet apart and the space will have limited capacity. Servers in face masks and gloves will either bring items directly to tables, or place them on a sterile table in the center of the space.
The restaurant also plans to use technology from Order Text which will allow customers to order from their table on their phone to limit interaction.
"if you've got a restaurant, and you're ready to go and you think you've got all the stuff in place then more power to you." Sabala said. "We need to make sure everything is in place. This isn't just flipping the switch."
Some Austin movie theaters aren't ready to turn their projectors back on, even if they're allowed to do so. Rebecca Campell, CEO of Austin Film Society, which operates the arthouse AFS Cinema in North Austin, expressed dismay at Abbott's order. The theater announced March 17 that it would close temporarily.
She cited the low number of coronavirus tests in Texas, rising COVID-19 cases in Travis County and warnings from experts around the world as reasons to keep its movie screens dark.
"We are shocked at the decision of the governor to declare it safe to open movie theaters, even at 25% capacity," Campbell said. "The AFS Cinema will remain closed until further notice as we do our part to prevent the spread of this deadly virus."
In the wake of the pandemic closure, AFS on March 25 announced furloughs and staff reductions, including layoffs of all hourly workers at the cinema.
Violet Crown Cinema on West Second Street said safety for customers and staff amid the pandemic remains its priority as well. It also announced a temporary closure March 17.
"With that in mind, we will not open our cinemas on May 1 and do not have a confirmed re-open date at this time," said David Gil, director of marketing and programming for the downtown theater.
Sarah Story, executive director of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, located near Zilker Park, said the museum looks forward to reopening.
"This closure has been financially devastating for the UMLAUF (and) we are ready to safely reopen in accordance with the guidelines laid out" by the state and city, Story said. "I can't wait to welcome our community back into the museum and gardens very soon."
Staff writers Kara Carlson, Eric Webb and Kristin Finan contributed to this report.