Few Charlotte Bars Ready For Reopening Under Phase Three

CHARLOTTE, NC – North Carolina bars, movie theaters, and entertainment venues prepared to open on Friday night as the state entered Phase Three of its reopen plan. 

But the tight rules mean few bars across the state may be able to actually open, while other businesses are readying for customers. 

Hattie’s Tap and Tavern will open tomorrow at one o’clock after being closed for six months. 

“We have really hit the ground running trying to do everything we can to make sure that everything is as safe as it can be,” said owner Jackie DeLoach.

She says they’ve spent long hours cleaning and preparing their patio for roughly 25 customers at a time.

“It was a little bittersweet knowing that we only had to stick to our outside space,” said DeLoach.

Hattie’s Tap and Tavern is one of the few bars across the state that are able to open under the state’s Phase 3 guidelines, which restrict serves to outdoors only and 30% capacity. 

“It’ll be like a trial run the next few days, seeing if they’re going to be able to move in and out and buy products to keep us sustainable,” said DeLoach.

Also opening under phase three are movie theaters. Cinemark plans to open it’s North Carolina locations next friday. They’re limited to 30% capacity per screening room or 100 people, whichever is fewer. 

Bank of America Stadium can also open in time for the Panthers’ game this Sunday. 

“Things are going to continue to change. So I think as you visit the stadium, you’ll continue to see more and more advancements,” said Tom Sumner with Honeywell. 

Honeywell partnered with the Panthers to monitor air quality inside the stadium and provide the roughly 5,000 fans with protection packs that include a face mask, hand sanitizer and wipes. 

“They want to make sure that everybody is protected and everybody has the opportunity to protect themselves while they’re at the stadium,” said Sumner.

 For many in Phase Three, this is a chance to keep their livelihood from collapsing. 

“It has been rough, but the neighborhood keeps on coming out and supporting us any way that they possibly can,” said DeLoach, “and because of them we’re able to keep our lights on and still be here.”

Phase three runs until October 23rd