As more people receive their COVID-19 vaccination, restrictions on dining are beginning to ease. Many restaurants are starting to look more like their pre-pandemic selves.
Kristen Jones, the manager at the Ferndale Westside Pizza location, says that, like many restaurants, they were hurt by COVID.
“In the very beginning, before anybody really knew what was happening, we shut down one time for I think a week or so. And then of course it affected everybody,” says Jones. “And then after that we shut down again and that one was a lot longer. That one was a few weeks. And that definitely hurt the business.”
For a while, the Ferndale location was only open for carry-out. Customers had to wait outside to be given their orders by staff, which was a challenge due to short staffing.
“The hiring situation is a little bit rough. I think that’s for everybody though,” says Jones. “Right now, we are in a good place. But staffing has definitely been affected by COVID.”
Now, Westside Pizza is beginning to return to normal. Like many restaurants, they are still closed for in-person dining. However, customers can now come in to pick up their orders. Pizzas are also now available for delivery.
Jones says that while the Ferndale location is not yet selling pizza by the slice, the Bellingham location is. She says that all the stores are reopening in small steps, one at a time.
“We will be doing slices soon,” says Jones. “We are slowly moving back in the forward direction. But we’re taking it one day at a time basically.”
The hours of operation for Westside Pizza have changed throughout the pandemic, and hours vary from location to location. The Ferndale location is currently open from 12-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 12-10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Bellingham location is open from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
If you’re unsure what to order from Westside Pizza, Jones recommends the Garlic Chicken Pizza with Pepperoni, her favorite item on the menu.
“I have to say we do have an amazing customer base,” says Jones. “People emailed and called when we were closed saying only positive things, just ready for us to open. And that’s why we’re here.” 1887 Main St., Ste. 104, Ferndale, 360.778.1167, westsidepizza.com
