Nob Hill restaurant enacts COVID-19 policy that requires proof of full vaccination for indoor dining
“We hope that it encourages people and gives them a little sense of security," Jennifer James, co-owner and co-chef at Frenchish, said.
“We hope that it encourages people and gives them a little sense of security," Jennifer James, co-owner and co-chef at Frenchish, said.
“We hope that it encourages people and gives them a little sense of security," Jennifer James, co-owner and co-chef at Frenchish, said.
A restaurant in Nob Hill is now requiring customers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before dining indoors.
Frenchish, a neighborhood restaurant, has served the local community for five years.
Like many businesses, the restaurant has struggled during the coronavirus pandemic.
“When you set out to open a business, you never think 'what’s the worst thing that could happen?'" Nelle Bauer, co-owner and co-chef at Frenchish, said.
Despite the challenges, creative and innovative efforts were made to stay afloat. Some changes included at-home meal kits, "Sunday suppers", and curbside pick-up.
"We would see them a couple of times a week at the curbside pick up, and we got to know people by their eyes and by their car," Bauer said. "It was like this little community that just got stronger, and bigger, and kind of intensified."
Abiding by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's mandate, the restaurant has since returned to indoor seating for customers with COVID-19 protocols in place.
However, Bauer and her business partner, Jennifer James, are taking it one step further when it comes to safety.
"As of this week, we've implemented our own policy of a COVID vaccination for dining in," James, co-owner and co-chef at Frenchish, said.
The new COVID-19 policy, which started Sept. 16, now requires customers to prove full vaccination against the virus.
James says the decision was made after weeks of discussion.
"It was the least selfish thing we could do for our staff and our guests," James said. "They’ve relentlessly supported us, and this is the right thing for us, as a business and for our customers."
While James says most Albuquerque residents are pleased with the new policy, some residents say it doesn't give them a choice to enjoy local dining.
"I know a lot of people who are not for the shot. It's going to cause them to lose business, I think," Tara Aragon, a local resident, said.
Nevertheless, Bauer and James hope other business owners can follow their lead.
"It was the right thing to do, for us," James said. "I would be more encouraged to go somewhere that had that policy, but, you know, it's a personal decision."
James adds the COVID-19 policy could change, as new developments continue in the coronavirus pandemic.
Ten Thousand Waves, a hotel, spa, and restaurant in Santa Fe, has also enacted a similar policy.