INDIANAPOLIS — Bar and night club owners continue to face financial challenges in Marion County.
There's no indoor service for customers and only 50 percent capacity outside. One owner said with no end in sight on the restrictions, everyone needs to do their part to save local businesses and end the pandemic.
"We want this pandemic to end sooner than later so I believe we all have to do our part," Lanie Campbell, business manager for 317 Burger, Casba and Vanguard.
Wednesday was supposed to be the end of the shutdown for bars and nightclubs, but Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett extended the restrictions this time without a reopening date.
"We've started to expect not to reopen and we will just be pleasantly surprised when and if we can," Campbell said.
LEARN MORE | 317 Burger | The Vanguard Indy
For now, 317 Burger will stay open by only offering outdoor seating at 50 percent capacity, which meets the guidelines set by the mayor. Campbell said the process has been rough because the Casba is a bar and Vanguard is an event space, both under tight restrictions to only serve customers outside.
"People just aren't booking parties so we haven't had any inquiries, we've pivoted and started doing family meals," Campbell said.
Campbell said the businesses are trying to adjust to the new norm but weekends are much different now.
"They were packed Friday, Saturday, Sunday," Campbell said. "Sunday reggae nights have been going on for 26 years and now it's done."
Despite all the changes, setbacks and continuously being told to hold off opening, Campbell said her team keeps looking for ways to get back going.
"If we serve sandwiches then we maybe won't be considered a bar but then we found out if you haven't been serving food or had a full menu prior to March you can't pull out one now and get it," Campbell said. "I think bars are risky right now."
Campbell said she's making peace with the waiting process for now while focusing on serving customers at 317 Burger and doing their part to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
