heidi romich - the heidout restaurant

I'd like to introduce Heidi Romich, owner of the HeidOut restaurant .

How has Covid-19 impacted your business, and what are you doing to adapt and keep moving forward?

Covid 19 impacted my business first by having to close for dine in and switching to only take-out and delivery as of March 21, 2020. We went down to one third of our staffing levels, laying off over 30 employees. We started with frozen meals for take-out as well as our regular menu hot food and salads and added in free delivery as of March 15th to help people that were immune compromised and/or self isolating after being away on holidays or just by choice. All caterings were halted as of that time which included several large banguet dinners, Key City Theatre Winter Ale series, smaller business events, weddings throughout the spring, summer and fall and Summer Sounds Music in the Park with Fisher Peak Performing Artists Society. Also, renovation plans for March were postponed until the end of May and because of slow supply chains, the renovation has taken a lot longer than planned so we are only able to do take out and delivery. We are just slowly opening now. The Covid 19 protocols are very extensive for keeping our staff and guests safe so we will only be able to have about 50% occupancy, no events or large catering jobs moving forward for the foreseeable future.

What positive or uplifting things have you been seeing or experiencing during this time?

Lots of positive things.....people reaching out buying frozen meals for elderly and/or immune compromised family and neighbors, people purchasing frozen meals for our buy 1 frozen meal and we would match 1 for the Salvation Army, lots of love for our front line workers in health care, retail and hospitality, many people thanking my staff for working, staying open and delivering food for them to their homes or businesses. Rotary Noon Club purchasing and delivering frozen meals for their seniors at Scott Villa. Lots of community initiatives and people taking care of people which is heartwarming.

Have you been doing anything in particular to create joy or have some fun through this pandemic situation?

My staff cut out and painted hearts for our window display in support of our front line workers, all our staff stood outside for the 7:00pm clapping in appreciation of front line workers, our staff cooked and individually wrapped 1000 cookies for kids at the Salvation Army, staff cooked up and delivered hundreds of frozen meals for the Salvation Army, staff voluntarily bought and dropped off flowers with food for a wedding couple, we participated in the Gala at Home fundraiser for the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies by creating a special gala gourmet menu and delivering food on plates with covered domes and staff dressed in formal black and white as well as creating a special cocktail people could make at home following a live demo by my bartender.......

Is there anything that you’d like to share, or wish people knew?

Cranbrook is an amazing community and keeps showing the love to people in our community, to my staff and supporting us as a business. We are so lucky to live here and this is what community is all about!.