The owner of Tino's Drive-in says that the well-known burger joint is taking all precautions to operate safely during the pandemic one day after police say they have heard concerns in the community about gatherings near the southwest Medicine Hat location. -- NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
Management at Tino’s Drive-In says the hallmark local burger joint is abiding by all of Alberta Health recommendations and is asking customers to do the same.
Late Wednesday, the Medicine Hat Police Service said it would increase presence near the southwest area business as well as several other locations in the city that had been part of public complaints called in about social distancing measures.
Terry DeValter, a co-owner in the family run restaurant, told the News on Thursday, that the decision was made to open as usual this spring in part to boost spirits of Hatters, but with altered operations, smaller staff and measures to discourage hanging around the parking lot near Gershaw Drive.
He has had only one interaction with police, he said, and believes only one or two isolated instances may have led to a complaint.
“We made the decision to open, and it’s been busier that we thought we’d be,” said DeValter.
“We’ve been very careful – we want to stay safe and our customers to stay safe.
“People are coming to support you and you’re telling them that they can’t do this or can’t do that. It’s hard, but it’s wonderful that people have been so patient.”
Police officials told the News that they don’t discuss the particulars of specific case files, but did say no tickets have been issued to this point for any infraction of health guidelines across the city.
“It really says something about how Hatters are reacting as a community,” said Sgt. Jason Graham.
DeValter said he feels one or two instances may have been behind the complaints, both times when customers who took it upon themselves to take down picnic tables that were stacked up beside the building.
Those had not been put out specifically to promote drive-thru service, avoid lingering, and encourage customers to stay in their vehicles.
DeValter said that on another occasion he served a group of nine people, and that may have raised questions for passers-by.
“It was one family, a big family, but driving by you could see how people might wonder – I’m following the rules, why aren’t they?” said DeValter.
DeValter said he “feels terrible” for the local restaurant industry in general as it wrestles with an inability to offer sit-down service.
“Hopefully, they’ll find a solution to all this soon, and we can get back to normal,” he said.
