Majority of Augusta-area restaurants closed due to COVID-19 concerns have reopened
Two weeks ago, more than a dozen restaurants and bars in the Augusta area temporarily closed after staff members tested positive for COVID-19 or out of an abundance of caution.
Most have reopened, while some have only partially opened. Most businesses have announced their decisions on their social media pages.
Restaurants and bars in downtown Augusta, including Firehouse Bar, Maryland Fried Chicken, Soul Bar and Whiskey Bar Kitchen, have reopened. Firehouse Bar reopened Wednesday with a requirement that patrons wear masks, and Maryland Fried Chicken reopened under new operating hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Soul Bar reopened July 20, while Whiskey Bar, which closed July 13 after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, reopened Monday. Customers at Soul Bar are required to wear a face mask before being allowed inside.
Other restaurants and bars, including Jackie M’s and Son, Top Crab, Allie Katz, Pizza Joint’s Evans location, Mi Rancho on Washington Road, Fishbowl Lounge and Laziza Mediterranean Grill, have reopened or will reopen in the next couple of days. Top Crab will reopen Saturday for pickup orders only.
Fishbowl Lounge is asking customers who might be sick to stay home and says temperature checks will be performed upon entry to the establishment.
Raes Coastal Cafe on Wimbledon Drive is open for curbside pickup and by reservation only for dine-in until further notice.
Zaxby’s recently reopened dining rooms on a limited basis in certain locations, including the Wheeler Road location. McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A have not announced plans to reopen dining rooms at all locations.
Southbound Smokehouse’s Central Avenue location, Joe’s Underground and Nacho Mama’s have not given updates on their reopening plans.
Nacho Mama’s announced July 15 that it was closing for a few weeks “out of concern” for its staff. Joe’s Underground closed while awaiting staff results and said it could shut down for two to three weeks or until it feels comfortable enough to provide a safe environment for customers.
Mayor Hardie Davis issued a mandatory order requiring people to wear a mask when out in public in early July. As of Friday, Richmond County has 3,482 COVID-19 cases, while Columbia County has 1,793 cases.
COVID closures
If you know of other restaurants that have closed due to COVID-19, email us at newsroom@augustachronicle.com.
