DE PERE (NBC26) -- Now that restaurants and bars are required to operate at 25 percent capacity once again, some local businesses said they need the public's help to stay afloat.
"We're at the front line of the blow that COVID is causing financially to the economy," said Kerry Counard, owner of The Abbey Bar & Grill in De Pere. "Small businesses are right in the forefront."
Caution tape is wrapped around tables, bar stools and chairs inside The Abbey. Counard said they've been running at 25 percent capacity for roughly four months, but have yet to top that number.
“I’d be happy to get to 25 percent of my 200, because that would put me at 50 people," Counard said. "I can honestly say that I don’t remember ever having 50 people in this building at one time.”
Less people means less income.
Counard, who's operated The Abbey for 30 years, said the pandemic has taken a financial toll on business: Monthly revenue has dropped about 50 percent.
Takeout was good for awhile, but Counard said the loss of dine-in customers is problematic. It's a situation he said could quickly worsen without more support.
"A lot of days I'll be in here by myself with no customers," Counard said. "It's disheartening, obviously, and it's difficult to run a business when you're not depositing a lot of money."
During the state COVID-19 briefing Tuesday, Gov. Tony Evers said he felt encouraged when the circuit court denied the request for a temporary pause on the emergency order that limits indoor capacity for places like restaurants and bars to 25 percent.
“We know that gatherings are exactly what we need to be avoiding at this time," Evers said. "We want to see our small businesses succeed, our favorite restaurants and bars thriving again, but that won't happen overnight and it certainly won't happen until everyone starts taking this pandemic seriously."
All employees at The Abbey wear masks the duration of their shifts. Hand sanitizer is placed around the room. Surfaces are cleaned regularly.
Counard said one of the ways businesses like his can bounce back is if people shop local.
"Small businesses need you now more than we did early on, because now we're kind of stretched," Counard said. "You've seen the number of places that have already gone out of business, and there's a handful of us that are hanging on and doing everything we can to try and stay in business."
Counard said he'd also like the state to come forward with more financial help for small businesses.
The emergency order is set to be in effect through Nov. 6.
