A mid-week meal at the Silver Chalice Pub was extra special for one Hope resident, who brought home not only a full belly but also $10,000.
Co-owner of the Silver Creek pub and restaurant David Mawhinney said the woman was in shock when she checked her ticket Wednesday, June 17 at the pub’s self-serve machine.
“She had this dumbfounded look on her face and big wide eyes,” he laughed.
The Hope Standard doesn’t yet know who the winner is.
This is the second time since Mawhinney has owned the Chalice that someone has won $10,000 on a Keno game. By chance, the couple who had won the first time came in around 10 minutes after she’d found out she won, they sat down for lunch right beside this week’s winner.
The Silver Chalice was closed to dine-in while a provincial health order prohibited the practice. The restaurant has now opened to diners with measures in place including sanitizing tables and chairs between seatings, using paper menus and keeping groups to six people maximum. Diners are also encouraged to keep their distance from others and Mawhinney said staff are careful to discourage mingling.
Dine-in at restaurants was once again allowed as part of phase two of B.C.’s restart plan, starting in mid-May. As of June 11, restaurants are now allowed to have more than 50 per cent capacity for dine-in guests, provided they can ensure the physical distance of two metres between parties. Mawhinney said the pub can fit 80 people in safely.
Read more: Restaurants no longer limited to 50% capacity for dine-in guests
The Chalice’ take-out and delivery are still being utilized for customers – for those who are extra cautious Mawhinney said people can prepay for their meal and have a staff member drop their order off at their doorstep.
When the pub’s popular trivia and karaoke will start up again are still up in the air. For Mawhinney, it’s about ensuring a ‘slow but sure march’ to fully re-opening, adding he has appreciated the patience of locals especially during busy times like this past Mother’s Day.
Mawhinney is also looking at the possibility of applying to the district and the province to open a patio in the Chalice parking lot, a process that both levels of government say they have now streamlined to allow restaurants and bars to comply with physical distancing. So outdoor trivia could be a possibility this summer.
The pub is also hiring, especially kitchen staff, and has had to limit its opening hours due to difficulties finding staff. They are open Tuesdays to Saturdays noon to 8 p.m.
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