A Fight to Endure
Jul 16, 2020 12:00AM ● By By Seti Long
Staying open for business amid COVID19 shutdowns requires quick-thinking and the will to overcome! Owners of Gridley's Rail House Pub & Grill, Kari(left) and Tim Trusheim(right) proudly showcase their new outdoor dining area, made a reality in less than 24 hours in response to Governor Newsom's fresh set of shut-downs. Photo by Seti Long
GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - A favorite among locals, Gridley’s Rail House Pub and Grill has kept its doors open throughout the pandemic by constantly adapting to ever-changing mandates from state and county officials.
Monday’s announcement by Governor Newsom restricting restaurants from offering dine-in service and requiring them to revert to outdoor and takeout services only, added another hurdle for owners Tim and Kari Trusheim to jump through. Kari says, “It’s been back-breaking to keep up,” saying most don’t understand the “Pages upon pages of stuff that Newsom’s having us do and to follow,” including submitting reports consisting of how they intend to meet requirements and implement their plan, specialized training of employees, constant dialogue with the Health Department, not to mention cleaning and distancing requirements. They agree that the stress is constant. In response to the newest mandate, Tim says, “We’re rolling with the punches… 24 hours ago, we decided that we’d have to build an outdoor patio.”
With a fighting spirit and a little help from some friends, Rail House was able to turn the parking lot in front of their building into an outdoor dining area and open for business. Tim says “I would say we’re still alive because of the support of the community…These people are fantastic.” Agreeing whole-heartedly, Kari adds, “It’s [Rail House] become part of Gridley. We’ve become friends and family.”
Effective July 13th, and until further notice, state-wide shutdowns apply to: Dine-in Restaurants, Wine and Tasting Rooms, Movie Theatres, Family Entertainment Centers, Zoo’s and Museums, Cardrooms and Bars/Breweries/Pubs/Brewpubs regardless of indoor and outdoor dining areas, unless they are offering sit-down meals. Alcohol can only be served if it is in the same transaction as a meal. Counties on the Governor’s Watch List are being required to close additional establishments, including churches, gyms, salons and more.
According to Butte County Public Health Director, Danette York, Butte County is not currently on the Governor’s Watch List but warns that could change soon.
