Leonardtown is a Ghost town

[Blister]

We made reservations at Sweetbay last Sunday for my wifes' birthday dinner. Got an email and text confirmation in minutes. Got a "Are you still coming" email last night. Drive to Leonardtown today and there is a handwritten note on the door that they are closed for Covid until January 4th. I have tried several times before to call the restaurant without success. They seem to only take reservations online , maybe they could push one more key and send an email that they will be closing to save customers an aggravating trip for no reason. This is the second we had a confirmed reservation there and they were closed when we arrived. The first time was in their first few months of opening so we gave them the benefit of the doubt. Front Porch, The Rex, and Il Picolo also were closed. Olde Town Pub was open and looked to be very busy.

 

[RoseRed]

From their Facebook:

THANK YOU ST. MARY’S!
We are overwhelmed with well wishes for our sick staff and understanding for last minute cancelations.
•
Reminder that we are closed all weekend and our plan is to re-open the restaurant on WEDNESDAY JANUARY 5th and we can’t wait to see everyone!
•
Please spread the word and stay alert for changing updates.

 

[black dog]

Twice....They would never see my feet walk through there, their, the're front door again.

 

[Sneakers]

Sounds like the reservation system was 3rd party and automated. Just sending out pre-programmed messages on cue with no knowledge of the actual open/close of the restaurant.

 

[vraiblonde]

This is the second we had a confirmed reservation there and they were closed when we arrived.

Yeah, that would be the end of them for me. The very least they could do is notify their reservations.

 

[DaSDGuy]

Thanks for the heads up. My SO and I can find other accommodations. Or maybe make reservations then no show. Let them see how it feels.

 

[Blister]

I realize it is an automated reservation system. But if they update their Facebook page why can't they have someone update their Open Table account. We have had 3 enjoyable meals there and were going because my wife requested it for a nice dinner out. At least this time it was just the 2 of us, last time she invited 4 friends and we were left looking like morons.

 

[Clem72]

From their Facebook:

♥ THANK YOU ST. MARY’S!
We are overwhelmed with well wishes for our sick staff and understanding for last minute cancelations. ♥
•
Reminder that we are closed all weekend and our plan is to re-open the restaurant on WEDNESDAY JANUARY 5th and we can’t wait to see everyone!
•
Please spread the word and stay alert for changing updates.

Are you in the habit of checking the facebook pages of restaurants you have a reservation at? I would say for most that isn't SOP.

 

[Sneakers]

Are you in the habit of checking the facebook pages of restaurants you have a reservation at? I would say for most that isn't SOP.

Actually, it is. Facebook, Instagram, etc.... are generally more current than a webpage and people can access them easier from a phone. Most everyone I know uses social media sites rather than a website.

 

[Clem72]

Actually, it is. Facebook, Instagram, etc.... are generally more current than a webpage and people can access them easier from a phone. Most everyone I know uses social media sites rather than a website.

Sneaks. Who checks a website either. You mean to tell me you check facebook and instagram before heading out to eat? When does that come up?

a) Hey hun, let's get Japanese tonight.
b) Okay dear, just let me check their Instagram to see if their food looks good today, and their Facebook to see if anyone has got sick eating there in the last week, and their TikTok to see if the Chef's technique is looking en flique.

 

[vraiblonde]

Actually, it is. Facebook, Instagram, etc.... are generally more current than a webpage and people can access them easier from a phone. Most everyone I know uses social media sites rather than a website.

Right, but I think most people don't check social media to make sure the place is even open, especially if they have a reservation. One expects the restaurant to contact them if there's a change of plans and not just go, "Oh well, we put it on our Facebook."

 

[Sneakers]

Everyone I know who has made a reservation checks before leaving.

 

[RoseRed]

Are you in the habit of checking the facebook pages of restaurants you have a reservation at? I would say for most that isn't SOP.

Sometimes. Over the holidays many close afterwards for a bit to regroup and with COVID, you never know if the shutdown at a moments notice. Also, if they are short staffed. I've seen messages for a few restaurants that they had to close.

 

[Blister]

Actually you must be right. When Sweetbay sent me an email at 8:16 P.M. on Friday December 31st asking if I was still coming on January 1st, I should have immediately checked their Facebook, Instagram, etc.... to see if they were pranking me. Silly me, now I have to find somewhere else to spend my money.

 

[vraiblonde]

Everyone I know who has made a reservation checks before leaving.

I don't. I assume that if the restaurant needs to cancel my reservation, they will call or text me. That's the way it normally works.

 

[DoWhat]

Everyone I know who has made a reservation checks before leaving.

I don't, only when there is bad weather.
But, Thank God you don't know me and have me on ignore.

 

[Grumpy]

I don't, only when there is bad weather.
But, Thank God you don't know me and have me on ignore.

I am one of the few that doesn't have you ignored, aren't you the lucky one

 

[Sneakers]

I've yet to be embarrassed and show up to a closed restaurant.

 

[DoWhat]

I've yet to be embarrassed and show up to a closed restaurant.

Stud.

 

[vraiblonde]

I've yet to be embarrassed and show up to a closed restaurant.

IMO, it should embarrass the owner to have reservations show up to their closed restaurant.