Gahan House Re-Opens Maritime Locations For Pick-Up And Delivery
MONCTON – The Gahan House pubs in Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton and Halifax have re-opened, owner Murphy Hospitality Group confirmed.
The restaurants are open for curb-side pick-up and delivery only.
The re-opening means the company has been able to re-hire some of its staff. In mid-March, the company had to let go of all of its foodservice staff – around 400 of them – as restaurants, bars and cafes close their dining rooms across the country due to COVID-19 mitigation measures.
“Right now, when you look at a location, you’re looking at three-to-four staff being re-hired at different levels. But normally it would be three full-time people and maybe a part-timer,” said CEO Kevin Murphy. “About 25 to 30 people would be for sure.”
It also owns 13 other foodservice brands, including a catering service. Its Halifax restaurants include Pickford & Black, Barrington Steakhouse & Oyster Bar, and Grounded Coffee Bar. But only the Gahan House brands have re-opened there.
RELATED: Murphy Group Lays Off 400, Other Restaurants Close Across Maritimes
In Charlottetown, Murphy Group has re-opened four restaurants, including Gahan House. PEI Brewing Company in Charlottetown also offers delivery services, and it recently launched a grocery pick-up and delivery service called MHG Market out of the brewery’s event space. Customers can use an app to make their grocery and craft beer orders.
Altogether, the company still has approximately 50 people working. Murphy said the federal wage subsidy program has been a big help to the business.
“No question it’s been a benefit,” he said. “It’s made the decision easier to open up on a limited basis.”