Freddy's remains ready for Stage 2

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — The folks at Freddy’s Restaurant in Leamington are ready to welcome customers to their patio as soon as they get the word from the province.

“We are all set to go,” says Mike Makhlouf. “We have physically measured the space between patio tables and have all the necessary protocol in place.”

For Mike and his brother Rob, their family business, which has been open since 1988, has seen its challenges in the past three years.

“From the road construction, to high water levels, to COVID-19, we’ve faced our challenges,” said Mike.

Being a seasonal business located on Point Pelee Drive, the restaurant depends on traffic going to and from Point Pelee National Park every spring and summer, and much of that traffic just hasn’t materialized.

“With the Point being closed all spring, the traffic just hasn’t been there,” said Mike.

Point Pelee re-opened fully on Monday.

Rob and Mike Makhlouf on their patio. Sun photo

“We are eager and anxious to open our patio,” said Rob. “We want people to support local and thank those who have supported us so far.”

Freddy’s has been open for takeout for several weeks, but takeout doesn’t compare to being able to have people sitting on their patio.

Normally they employ between 20 and 25 local seasonal staff, but with the CERB being a viable option for thoseemployees affected, they will face a manpower challenge when this area graduates to Stage 2. “Normally, we take time in the early spring to train our employees, but we are going to have to hire and put them right to work once we get the word,” said Mike. “We will ask customers to be patient as we expect a brisk business from the get-go.”

The Makhlouf brothers feel they are more than ready to open their patio and can’t wait to see it bustling with diners.

Rob, left, and Mike Makhlouf in front of Freddy’s on Point Pelee Drive. Sun photo

They are a bit frustrated by the fact that people can order takeout and take it over to Mersea Park and eat at a picnic table that has only been sanitized by occasional rain, but they can’t sit at Freddy’s sanitized patio tables.

“It’s an unprecedented time we are in, but it’s puzzling that we can’t have guests on our patio,” said Mike. “Where’s the logic?”

Ironically, this spring’s weather would have provided for a great patio season, if not for COVID.

“We’ve had great patio weather since March, but have been unable to use it,” added Rob.

Despite the setbacks, the brothers remain optimistic that the customers will come.

“We hope everyone will come out and enjoy our food as they always have,” said Mike. “We need to stay united, respectful and get through this as the big, strong community that we are.”