The Big Catch at Salt Creek prepares to reopen the ‘St. Pete Way’

The St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce presents: Coronavirus Impact Insights. Click the play arrow above to watch the full video. 

On this episode, Mario Farias of The Big Catch at Salt Creek joins Chris Steinocher, CEO of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Joe Hamilton, publisher of the St. Pete Catalyst to talk about The Big Catch’s reopening, and the new procedures in place to keep employees and customers safe.

Farias and Raphael Perrier, owner of Kahwa Coffee, gathered 25 local business owners earlier this week to talk about reopening, how to help St. Pete recover from the economic losses of Covid-19 and to share best practices, resources and encouragement.

The Big Catch, situated on Salt Creek just south of downtown St. Petersburg, has decided to reopen its outdoor dining areas only, to protect the staff from breathing potentially contaminated recycled air. While the Big Catch was closed, the owners decided to repaint and reseal all surfaces, to ensure for a cleaner, more sterile environment for diners.

They’re keeping all of their bar seating closed and operating only as a service bar. Each of the tables will be spaced at least six feet apart, many at least eight feet apart, and tiki bar waterfront seating will sets of two bar stools, spaced six feet apart. There will also be some group dining available for families and groups of up to 10 people for graduations, birthdays and other celebrations.

The Big Catch is also taking sanitization procedures very seriously. Each table is sanitized every morning, and between every guest. The staff has pressure washed and sanitized the concrete floor and will continue to do so every morning. The Big Catch has also supplied gloves and mask for employees. Each of these changes comes with a cost, but Farias says the investment is worth it.

“Our return on our investment is not just to benefit monetarily, but the health of the citizens of St. Petersburg,” he says. “If they come out healthy, the benefit was worth every dime we spent to get it.”

Farias says The Big Catch is expecting good crowds, as some are ready and excited to come out of their homes, but he understands that many are not ready.

Steinocher previews the new “St. Pete Way” posters that will be displayed at businesses that have sent their safety procedures to the St. Petersburg Chamber for review. Farias sent The Big Catch’s procedures Friday and has already received his poster for reopening Monday.