Ralph's Texas Bar & Steakhouse pop up patio (Photo courtesy Colton McKee)

By Teagan Rasche

out thousands of dollars

Local restaurant frustrated with patio costs after being forced to close

May 7, 2021 | 4:43 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – One local restaurant scrambled to build a pop-up patio once indoor dining was no longer allowed.

On Sunday, patios will be forced to close, leaving the restaurant out thousands of dollars.

Ralph’s Texas Bar and Steakhouse adapted to restrictions in April. Management put permanent patio plans on hold and quickly built a temporary one.

Ralph’s made the patio as comfortable as possible, renting a canopy, fake grass, table and chairs.

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General Manager Brad Hayward says staff were excited about working again and the patio was busy.

He says it’s very discouraging to have to close down.

“You’re in excess of thousands of dollars to spring up a patio very quickly,” Hayward said. “It’s tough, A, to get patio furniture for one cause everyone is sold out cause of COVID. The people that can work with you do, and unfortunately you just have to buy what you can.”

Hayward is hoping to reopen on May 31 if restrictions get lifted. Until then, the new patio will sit waiting to be used.