The Hitching Post II in Buellton is remaining open during the pandemic with online and phone orders for front door pick-up and delivery.
About half of the restaurant's staff was furloughed and they are doing about 25 percent of the business they were doing before the stay-at-home orders.
The owner hopes to create more patio seating when they reopen to make room for customers and keep the same number of tables in the restaurant.
"It's been a real stressful month-and-a-half," said Frank Ostini, owner, chef and winemaker. "I feel really comfortable where we are right now. I think we have a good interface with the public that's kind of a defined space that we feel safe, they feel safe and it's gonna be a whole other set of pressures when people start coming inside, a whole new learning curve."
Ostini says the lack of tourism has hurt the business but they are hoping to reopen in about 30 days.
The Hitching Post II opened in Buellton in 1986. It gained international recognition when scenes from the 2004 movie "Sideways" were filmed at the restaurant.
The restaurant is open for online orders from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. It is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Click here to check out the menu.
The Hitching Post restaurant in Casmalia is currently closed.
