On Monday, Dec. 21, Toni’s 24-Hour Restaurant announced via Facebook that due to an employee’s positive COVID-19 test, the restaurant would be shutting down for a deep cleaning and reopening at 7 a.m. on Dec. 27. It’s the most recent of a spate of COVID-19 related closures in Arcata this month. “We’ve decided to close, […]
restaurants
Posted inNews
NCJ Preview: Howling at Pandemic Fatigue and Restaurants Hit by COVID
While most 8 p.m. howlers have gone silent, two little girls in Blue Lake are still making themselves heard in support of frontline workers. We’ll talk about them and reasons, the practice fell off, including pandemic fatigue, which has real consequences. We’re also taking a look at the toll on restaurants and staff when employees […]
Posted inEat + Drink
COVID-19 Cases Among Restaurant Staff Deliver Another Blow
On Nov. 21, just five days ahead of Thanksgiving, for which Plaza Grill already had 300 confirmed holiday dinner orders and another 200 awaiting confirmation, owner Bill Chino picked up the phone and started calling customers to cancel. A front-of-house employee had just tested positive for COVID-19. The call list was daunting, he says, “but […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Salt, Campground to Re-open; COVID-19 Positive Closes Stars Arcata
Salt Fish House posted to its Facebook page that it will resume outdoor, takeout and delivery service on Dec. 1. The restaurant, along with its sibling Campground, closed Nov. 18 after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. Campground has yet to announce its reopening, but informed the Journal it will reopen Dec. 2, allowing an extra […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Negative COVID-19 Tests Reopen Wildflower, Positive Shutters Plaza Grill
After closing briefly because a staff member had contact with a person with COVID-19, Wildflower Cafe & Bakery will open its doors today. Co-owner Sue Charnes told the Journal in an email, the entire crew has tested negative. “None of our staff ever tested positive … there was just possible exposure from a few avenues […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Salt, Campground and Wildflower Temporarily Close Due to COVID Exposure
As Humboldt County COVID-19 numbers place it in the red substantial risk tier, rolling back indoor restaurant seating to 25 percent, a trio of Arcata restaurants, Wildflower Cafe & Bakery, Salt Fish House and Campground, have halted service in response to staff exposure. According to co-owner of Salt Fish House and Campground Dan Willey, he […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Pouring in a Pandemic
Even in Humboldt County’s enviable seat in the yellow/minimal risk zone of California COVID-19 safety tiers, reopening bars doesn’t mean we’re back to body shots and plaza crawls. (Maybe we shouldn’t bring back body shots.) Some of the things we miss about bars — the crowd, shouting over the music, huddling together over drinks — […]
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NCJ Preview: Humboldt in the Yellow Zone and Hoarding Frankie’s Bagels
What does Humboldt County’s move into the “yellow” minimal tier of the state’s COVID-19 categories mean and how does the “equity metric” impact us? Learn why the reopening options the new level offers may be precarious. And is a strongly worded letter enough to fix COVID safety violations? Cal Osha is hoping so. Finally, we’ll […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Frankie Goes it Alone
On Saturday, Frankie Baker turned on the lights at Frankie’s NY Bagels tucked behind the Turf Club at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds at 2 a.m. He came in an hour earlier than usual to manage the extra eight dozen bagels on pre-order. He worked in solitude for six hours — boiling and baking 40 dozen with […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Deo’s is Closed and Looking for a New Owner
Since Sept. 20, visitors to Henderson Center in search of lunch have been greeted by a sign on the door of Deo’s Sandwich Shop announcing its closure. It reads, “It was an honor serving our community in Henderson Center and we thank you for your warm support throughout the years!” Those years added up to […]
Posted inEat + Drink
The Peg House is Up for Sale
According to an SFGate story by former Journal staffer Ashley Harrell, now the outlet’s associate editor covering California parks, owners Diana Ballard-Doll and Gary Ballard are ready to sell the iconic burger pit stop to the right people for a cool $3 million. That includes 5.5 acres of land, the general store, the burger joint/patio/stage and the gas […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Live Entertainment Still Canceled
Despite what you might be seeing around the county and online, live shows are still not allowed under our current phase of shelter in place. On Aug. 4, the Humboldt Reopening Certification Team sent an email around to restaurants reminding them of the regulations for outdoor tent dining (one side closed only), face coverings (still required […]