It took days of planning and hours of setting up, to get this space ready for customers. It was going well, until the sky turned gray and the downpour started.

“It’s been one of the first things me and my friends did as soon as they reopened outdoor dining. It feels like you’re hanging out with family,” said one person.

He had to settle on getting his food to-go.

The stormy weather washed away any chance of eating outdoors at the Corner House BBQ in the Grant City neighborhood. Jonathan Fabro is the manager at the popular restaurant known for its brisket. He says they’ve been able to stay open because of all of the takeout orders, but are still struggling like other restaurants in the city. The weather makes recovery even harder.

“We are literally at the mercy of the weather now that we don’t have outdoor seating. We have to adjust to try to accommodate as much takeout as we can during this tough time,” said Jonathan Fabro, General Manager at the Corner House BBQ.

There’s still no date for when indoor dining can resume. Restaurant owners across the city have been trying to adapt to the new normal while following the guidelines. Mother Nature has her own set of rules.

“It’s just one night after four months, it’s hard,” said another person.

“The managers here at the Corner House BBQ tell us they want to continue improving the outdoor space. They will set up a large tarp to protect customers from the elements and mist fans to give relief from the heat.