topic Small cafe owner & going back to hospitality.... the phone keeps ringing but I’m not ready. in Welcome and orientation

Small cafe owner & going back to hospitality.... the phone keeps ringing but I’m not ready.

Buildmeashrubbery — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 18:55:15 GMT

I’ve really enjoyed having this time to rediscover myself. I hadn’t realised I worked myself into burnout and slept most of the first couple of COVID months. Then I spent time outside just sitting and wandering around. Still not 100% and the old pals ptsd/depression/anxiety are still hanging around as usual. The phone and email is getting a beating with people wanting to come to dine at my cafe which is nice but I’m not ready... I haven’t been in that kitchen for 6 months and I still don’t feel like cooking more than my own porridge! I need more time to begin the plan to re open and reshape that space into the new format which I have only just decided on. No money to pay others to do the work it’s just 3 of us.

Do I tell the public the truth or keep saying nothing and not answering the phone? One caller I spoke to yesterday said " oh I suppose you’re just going to stay closed until jobkeeper stops" WTH I’m not even on jobkeeper! That sent me into anxiety/anger/wanting to vent ( I didn’t I just ate pizza till I fell asleep).

Small cafe owner & going back to hospitality.... the phone keeps ringing but I’m not ready.

romantic_thi3f — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 22:56:10 GMT

Hi Buildmeashrubbery,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for reaching out.

Feel free to browse through the other threads as there are lots of people who are in similar situations to yourself; difficulties with restrictions coming in and difficulties with restrictions being eased. You're kind of forced to adapt, and quickly. I assume that you are in Victoria and Victoria had next to no notice to start up again - so it's understandable that you feel this way.

Given that your cafe isn't open yet, I think that you don't owe your customers an explanation - one thing that you can do is to provide some notice that you will be opening soon (and even putting a date in place). This gives you time to settle in and readjust, and allows your customers a bit of transparency so they can come back when you're open.

Is this something that could work for you? You could also try having a chat with the BB support service just for coronavirus - here's the number if you're interested 1800 512 348.

I hope this helps a bit. I know that if I was a local at your cafe I would just wait until you are ready.