Parker’s Grille and Tavern reopens in Avon Lake

This article, written by Linda Gandee, originally appeared on Cleveland.com on May 24, 2020.

AVON LAKE, Ohio — Reopening of businesses is happening all over now. When visiting local businesses, be prepared for changes within all of your favorite stores or restaurants.

Parker’s Grille and Tavern reopened on May 19, after a lot of planning and attention to detail to stay within the governor’s and CDC guidelines.

Owner James Mowbray compared his new layout with what went before.

“We used to have 130 seats in the dining room and lounge combined,” he said. Now, they will have 44 in the dining room — which is about 50 percent capacity — and the tables are six to seven feet apart, measured from the backs of the chairs.

To make room for social distancing, Mowbray said they have set up half of the banquet space in the dining room for another 34 seats.

“It is nice,” he said. “We are starting with no seats at the bar and only 18 seats in the lounge area. And no happy hour.

“Our banquet facilities usually fit up to 135 people,” Mowbray said. “We had banquets on the books, but we have no direction right now from the governor.”

Regarding disinfecting, Mowbray noted, “The team has scrubbed and disinfected our restaurant from top to bottom, including our outdoor furniture and serving areas.”

He commented on the unusual nature of the business now compared to what it was just a short time ago.

“It’s tough for us not be social in this social business,” he said.

But he noted that they have kept up on social media and have had regular customers calling, especially excited about the patio reopening.

Mowbray said the entire staff is coming back. “Everyone is coming back, or at least 95 percent,” he said.

The popular menu is not changing, either.

“It will be the regular menu,” he said. “One hundred percent of our regular menu, but we will hold off on daily specials for the time being, until we get back to a more normal time.”

The American bistro-style restaurant’s menu is described as “Classic American Fare: Hand-cut steaks, burgers, salads and fish.”

A surprise to Mowbray during the lockdown time has been the increase in the cost of food for the restaurant.

“We are seeing some pretty big increases in food prices,” he said. “We don’t want to raise prices. We just want to hold steady.”

But item by item, Mowbray said, some food prices have gone up by 20 to 50 percent. Suppliers have told him, though, that the prices should come back down in about four to six weeks.

Hours are shortened somewhat for now. “We shortened hours by one on the back end, so we are 4 to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 4 to 10 p.m. on weekends,” he said.

Mowbray said he will be happy to see his regular customers again and to welcome new ones.

“We are welcoming back loyal people,” he said. “We want to thank everybody for their support with carryout and delivery and, moving forward, we just look forward to opening the doors up to our family and friends to have them back in our house here.”

Parker’s Grille and Tavern is located at 32858 Walker Road in Avon Lake, at the corner of Ohio 83 and Walker Road.

Reservations are encouraged by calling 440-933-9400. Servers will be wearing face masks.

“We urge you to wear a face covering as you arrive and depart, as well as to complete a self-health assessment before you arrive,” Mowbray said. “If your temperature is above 100 degrees, or if you are coughing, sneezing or have difficulty breathing, please delay your visit.”

For additional information, visit https://www.parkersgrilleandtavern.com/.