Waitsburg officials, businesses respond to COVID-19 restrictions

WAITSBURG—The City of Waitsburg asks that residents stay close to home this Thanksgiving season and follow Governor Jay Inslee’s recently announced travel and shopping restrictions. To date, there have been 13 Waitsburg residents that have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

To help slow the spread, City Hall will remain closed to the public. Employees will be in the office, but residents are asked to contact City Hall via phone call or email for questions, concerns, and bill services. City Hall can be reached at (509) 337-6371 or by emailing administrator@cityofwaitsburg.com or adminassistant@cityofwaitsburg.com. A contact form is also available on the website, http://www.cityofwaitsburg.org.

“It is extremely important to follow the mask restrictions. You’re not only protecting the other guy, but you’re also protecting yourself. It’s also important to wear the masks properly, over your mouth and nose, because the virus is in the nasal cavities, not just your mouth,” Waitsburg City Councilman Jim Romine said. “Thirty-nine percent of the cases in Walla Walla County are in the 20-39 year age range. One would think the masks wouldn’t be a problem right now because they keep your nose warm!”

Businesses in Waitsburg are also changing their operations to comply with the new safety measures announced last Sunday.

Gaudy Gals on Main will remain in operation, as usual, monitoring the number of customers coming into the store at one time. All surfaces will be sanitized, and all shared surfaces, like door handles, will be cleaned regularly. Gaudy Gals on Main is located inside Town Hall.

Waitsburg Grocery, 200 Main Street, will no longer allow customers to gather at the front of the store. Curbside ordering is available during store hours, and delivery services are offered Monday-Friday, 8 a.m- 2 p.m. Call (509) 337-6641 for curbside and delivery service.

Ten Ton Coffee will reopen their take-out window starting November 18. The shop is currently exploring options for wait areas to prevent gathering during ordering. A limited food menu will be available. Ten Ton will be open seven days a week, 7:30 a.m- 2 p.m.

Banner Bank, 121 Main Street, will continue to offer drive-through banking services. The lobby is closed to the public at this time. Banner Bank is open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m- 1 p.m, and Friday, 1 p.m- 6 p.m.

Millstone Cafe & Bakery will be closed until further notice.

Whiskey Canyon Sports Bar & Grill, 701 Preston Ave, is currently making plans to make their patio seating winter-friendly to accommodate groups of five or less. They are open 11 a.m -7 p.m Monday-Friday, and Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m- 7 p.m, with breakfast served on the weekends. A limited to-go menu will be available.

Laht Neppur Brewing, 444 Preston Ave, is setting up the outdoor patio with heaters with limited seating. Groups of five are being asked to call ahead. All food and drink are available to go. Laht Neppur Brewing Co. can be reached at (509) 337-6261.

As the pandemic situation changes, all business and restaurant accommodations are subject to change.

As a friendly reminder, masks are required in any public setting. Retail occupancy has been reduced to 25% capacity, so please be patient if there is a wait line at your favorite shops.