Unalaska bars, restaurants struggle as pandemic continues to slow business February 5th |
As January comes to a close, Unalaska is rounding up the start of its busy winter fishing season. That s usually a bustling time for local bars and restaurants, with fishermen and industry workers filling bar stools at the Norwegian Rat Saloon or crowding the dance floor at Harbor View Bar and Grill.
But with recent shutdowns at two of the island s processing plants due to COVID-19 outbreaks, fishermen stuck at their boats for travel quarantines and local hunker down orders, things are looking a lot quieter this year.
While the city made exceptions to its public health orders to allow for limited dine-in services at bars and restaurants earlier this month, Daneen Looby, part owner of the Norwegian Rat Saloon, said that many of their customers are still choosing to stay home.
Credit Maggie Nelson/KUCB
As January comes to a close, Unalaska is rounding up the start of its busy winter fishing season. That s usually a bustling time for local bars and restaurants, with fishermen and industry workers filling bar stools at the Norwegian Rat Saloon or crowding the dance floor at Harbor View Bar and Grill.