Pizzeria Locale puts it bluntly: no mask, no pizza.
The message was embedded in a graphic created by brand manager Chris Donato. It'll be featured at the company's three locations in Denver.
"It really wasn't meant to be stern. It's really just to be clear," Donato said.
Donato said the move is a change from the usual, more guest-first tone of the restaurant. But it's a step other Denver businesses are taking after a city rule requiring people to wear face coverings while visiting most businesses took effect on Wednesday.
The rule means anyone working at or visiting retail or commercial businesses must wear face coverings like face masks while inside or even while waiting in line. Masks will be required in reception areas, grocery stores, public restrooms and cashier and checkout areas. The city followed state and federal guidance suggesting face coverings can help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Donato is taking this new responsibility seriously: He's ready to deny service to anyone who doesn't follow the rule and anticipates losing out on customers who don't want to wear them. The restaurant has been offering pick-up orders and has asked drivers delivering their food to wear masks.
Most staff have been wearing masks since March. Donato said most guests are doing the same.
"You can still come off the street and say, 'Hey, I want a cheese pizza,' and as long as you're wearing a mask, we will happily make you that cheese pizza," he said. He's encouraging people to order online.
Floyd's 99 Barbershop will be opening its 25 Denver-area locations on Saturday, the first day of safer-at-home orders, which allow businesses like barber shops to begin opening with physical distancing requirements. The barbershop company operates in 13 states after openings its first location in Denver in 2001.
"If they can't wear a mask, unfortunately, we cannot deliver service that day," said Floyd's technical director Patrick Butler of customers.
The barbershop will check employee temperatures before they begin their shifts. It will also give clients temperature checks using touchless thermometers. (The city's order doesn't require this step.)
Everyone will be required to wear face masks. Butler said Floyd's will clean hourly and offer hand sanitizer and fresh caps and towels for each person getting a haircut.
Nouveau Wax and Aesthetics has started taken appointments in anticipation of its Saturday opening.
The spa will check temperatures and ask people to leave if their temperature is above 100.4 degrees. Masks will be required, offered at the spa for $5.
"No mask = no rendered services," a representative from Nouveau told Denverite.
Floyd's and Pizzeria Locale will treat clients who refuse to comply with the face covering rule the way they might treat any other irate customer.
Butler said they're letting customers know before they come in that everyone must abide by the mask rule. He warned that calling the police may be an option if things get really bad.
"We've given training to the staff and the managers so that they can handle that conversation," Butler said. "We're hoping with advance warning and talking that through prior to even entering the shop we can diffuse that situation and avoid a possible conflict."
Butler said Floyd's locations that were allowed to open in areas outside the metro area over the last week haven't had any issues with mask compliance.
