COLUMBIA - Restaurants and bars in Columbia saw a large increase in the number of people this weekend from the University of Missouri s first commencement ceremony.Â
This weekend was the first of three graduation ceremonies for MU. It celebrated the class of 2020 since the COVID-19 pandemic canceled their graduation ceremonies last year.Â
With graduated Tigers and their families coming back to Columbia, restaurants were at full capacity and reservations were limited throughout the weekend. One server at Tellers Gallery and Bar explained what working the weekend was like. Oh it was absolutely hectic, Jared Treadway said. With more people, there s more things to do with reservations, organizing tables and making sure that tables are socially distant as possible. Â
COLUMBIA- The Roof restaurant at The Broadway Hotel is known for their deck patio that overlooks downtown Columbia.
The restaurant set COVID-19 protocols, such as mandatory masks and the spacing out of tables. However, they also set up heated igloos on their patio to allow customers to dine outside, social-distance and enjoy the view. Â
The Roof set up the heated igloos last winter, as they wanted to expand their outdoor business, as the winter months are usually their slow season, general manager Jim Evans said. This year, the second season of having them, they ve been very popular, Evans said. Â
A restaurant in downtown Columbia has a creative way to navigate outdoor dining this winter.  Steffi Roche, KOMU 8 Reporter