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

[Buildmeashrubbery]

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).

[romantic_thi3f]

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.

rt