Ottawa business owners react to first day without capacity limits

After 19 long months, many Ottawa business owners are eager to welcome back customers with no capacity limits.

“It’s huge. Every person in helps, especially with the last two years. It’s taken its toll and the fact that we’re able to people come back in, in more numbers, is massive,” Chris Vasilas, the owner Local Heroes, said Monday.

Like many restaurants in the city, Vasilas and his staff spent the morning dressing tables and preparing for a night with more guests than they’ve had in months.

“Today, we got rid of the old system, brought in the new one, and we’re excited to see what’s going to happen,” he added.

More than a chance to recover after a financially draining pandemic, Vasilas says this is a chance for business owners to prove they can survive on their own.