Against all odds, Sam and Marla Worrell, owners of Roosters Waterfront Restaurant in Clarkston, have managed to keep the doors open throughout this pandemic.
Like most eateries in Washington, the Worrells have been unable to have in-person dining because of COVID-19 restrictions imposed by Gov. Jay Inslee. Thatâs not likely to change until at least Jan. 11, when the governor announced he would reassess the virus spread situation.
âWe were hoping for different guidance than that,â Sam Worrell said. âIâm not surprised. It seems to be the way he thinks.â
Worrell, who has owned Roosters since 1997, said earlier in the pandemic the restaurant was hopeful to be able to offer in-person dining and set up to adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention social distancing guidelines. But Insleeâs restrictions superseded the CDC rules. In December, Worrell said, business dropped 82 percent from a year ago.