BALTIMORE (WMAR) — It was the first weekend of phase two in Baltimore. Businesses and customers are getting used to the new normal.
For the first time since March, restaurants can serve people inside.
"It’s great to be back," said Morgan McCuloy from Cat's Eye Pub.
Cat's Eye Pub in Fell's Point was one of many restaurants and bars across the city, eagerly awaiting the mayors' announcement. And it came Friday. Mayor Jack Young said the city was moving into phase 2, allowing lots of businesses to reopen at 50 percent maximum capacity.
"It’s a huge difference from what it was before where we could have 110 people in a night for live music and everyone hanging out and everything. It’s tough and some people don’t like it but we are trying to keep everyone safe," said McCuloy.
Restaurants are trying to get back into the swing of things with new protocols for masks and social distancing.
"We are being very safe. We’re worried about our customers, our bartenders, our musicians," said McCuloy.
The city shut down all the main roads around Fell's Point so people could properly social distance and businesses could expand their outdoor dining.
"People are just starting to feel like, 'Okay we can exist again in the 3D world'," said Luana Kaufmann, the owner of Emporium Collagia.
She's excited too. She’s been open a week now and looking forward to business picking back up again.
"I was looking at the figures for the week and of course it’s fantastic compared to not very much [while I was closed]," said Kaufmann.
Among the other things that reopened this weekend: the aquarium, casinos, malls, pools, beauty salons and gyms.
"We are so happy to be out. I'm so happy things are starting to open up. Getting some ice cream with my grandsons and we’re just really enjoying it. Been cooped up in the house too long and it’s time to get out and shake it off," said Sharon Bean.
