Three local restaurants close over coronavirus exposure concerns

Two North Idaho restaurants owned by local chef and restaurateur Adam Hegsted, and a cidery in Spokane, have shut down after employees or their loved ones tested positive for COVID-19.

According to social media posts, Hegsted announced Wednesday that Republic Kitchen & Tap House in Post Falls and Honey Eatery and Social Club in Coeur d’Alene have been temporarily closed after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus.

In Spokane, One Tree Cider House, at 111 S. Madison St., also closed Wednesday over similar coronavirus concerns. Co-owner Grant Barnes said an employee’s significant other had tested positive, but the employee had shown no symptoms.

“We thought it was best to have all of our employees tested, and to close for the weekend to do a deeper form of cleaning than we had instituted since all of this started,” Barnes said. “Like most businesses, we have taken heed of Washington state’s guidelines and followed them to a T.”

Hegsted did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But in his posts, which were the same for both restaurants, Hegsted noted the Republic Kitchen and Honey Eatery had been operating at 50% capacity with 6 feet between each table and had been monitoring staff, who were required to wear masks.

“However, as careful as we are being, we regret to inform you that one of our team members has been exposed to COVID-19,” Hegsted wrote. “Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily close to deep clean and sanitize the entire restaurant.”

It wasn’t clear from the posts whether the employee worked at both Republic Kitchen and Honey. But Hegsted wrote that any employee who had been exposed to the employee will be tested before they are allowed to come back to work.

“We will continue to keep our strict standards and make sure that we can continue to serve our guests safely before reopening,” Hegsted wrote. “Stay tuned for our announcements on reopening later this week.”

As for the One Tree Cider House, Barnes said he hopes to reopen by Thursday and thanked employees for their continued understanding during the closure.

“We removed more than 50 percent of our seating because we realize the significance of COVID-19 and what it can do to our community,” Barnes said. “We are doing everything we can, just like most businesses are. I wish most people would take it as serious as we believe it is.”