The dining destination, 9 Mile Garden, is reopening today with tighter social distancing guidelines and expanded hours of operation. The food truck garden in Affton temporarily shut down two weeks ago amid rising coronavirus concerns in the St. Louis area.
“We wanted to be proactive and make sure we could operate safely and responsibly for our visitors, staff, partners and community,” said 9 Mile Garden managing partner Brian Hardesty. “Over the past week, we have had extensive conversations with the St. Louis County Health Department and have agreed on procedures that allow us to safely operate within the health and safety guidelines put forth by St. Louis County.”
The approved plan between 9 Mile Garden and county officials includes limiting the venue’s capacity to 25%, among other changes.
“Because of the nature of our business, that means zero percent capacity as far as seating inside the bar (The Canteen). Everyone has to be seated in the garden and patio, where we have ample seating,” Hardesty said. “We’ll have numbered areas, where people will be assigned for seating.”
Except for those standing in line at food trucks, there will be no standing room allowed in the outdoor garden area. Social distancing markers will be present in front of every food truck, and all food will be served in single-use, to-go containers. In addition, only one group (of up to eight people) is allowed per table or designated seating area, which will be spaced 10 feet apart. Masks will be required when standing in line for food and throughout the venue, except for when guests are seated in their areas. The Canteen will be open for drink orders, but not for indoor seating.
Hardesty estimates that with the guidelines in place, 9 Mile Garden’s total outdoor capacity is approximately 350 people.
“But that’s with all seats full all at the same time,” he said. “We want to make sure everyone feels comfortable so we’re not going to pack them in.”
Hardesty adds the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed his team to hone in on improving the way they conduct business since 9 Mile Garden held its grand opening in early July.
“This had always been our plan – to open seven days a week. During our first month open, we had a lot of requests that we open the garden on Sundays to add an extra day of fun, and since then, we’ve been working hard to make improvements as far as social distancing goes,” he said, adding that with the new plan, “not only are we able to reopen, we’re able to reopen safely.”
Previously, the venue was closed on Sundays and did not serve dinner on Monday evenings. Beginning today, 9 Mile Garden will be open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with lunch and dinner served daily. In addition, daily events will take place on the garden grounds and on The Canteen’s outdoor patio.
The new brunch service on Sundays will begin Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday evening dinner service starts Aug. 17.
Hardesty said his team is ready to welcome people back to a venue that St. Louisans have long anticipated.
“People have been really great, and they self-police…most people wear their mask and they social distance,” he said. “Luckily for us, this space is built for these times. We all felt this was something needed in St. Louis – in Affton – and it’s worked out. I’m super grateful that we have a venue that we continue to operate, where people can safely watch live music, see a movie and eat local food.”
For more information, visit 9MileGarden.com.
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