“At some point, you have to go.
Like the Loto, to win, you have to play.
We must resume now.
On the phone, Walter Butler, owner of the Latin Paradise, intends to volunteer.
And combative.
While the health situation could not be more uncertain, the Parisian cabaret has decided to reopen its doors on September 18.
"With a tonnage reduced by half, to 350 people, but with the same requirements", says the former shareholder of PSG who took over the place and renovated it in depth for two years.
"We will offer the same show with all our artists, while in the kitchen and in the room, the workforce will respond," he continues.
All staff will be tested next week, he says.
The end of mandatory distancing for artists has allowed the sector to revive.
"Without this measure, it is difficult to imagine a show in a cabaret," said Daniel Stevens, general delegate of Camulc, the cabaret union.
Now teams can meet and prepare for reopening.
"
Wearing a mask is compulsory, except during dinner
Before the Latin Paradise, it is Chez Michou, rue des Martyrs, in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, that the cover will be put back on September 11.
Not far away, we will quickly welcome the party animal at Madame Arthur's, in a reduced configuration, of course, where we will offer two sessions per evening.
Playing on both counts - restaurant and live performance - the Latin Paradise "will obviously comply with health standards and apply social distancing (for the public)", adds Walter Butler.
Guests will therefore be asked to be masked on their arrival and during the show.
However, at dinner time, they can drop the mask.
Partner of the place, Guy Savoy has developed a new menu - his autumn menu - whose dishes have been tested this summer.
The rehearsals, they must resume this Monday.
"No, we are not going to make any money"
"I announced the news to the artists two days ago, they were ecstatic," resumes the owner, who assures him: "At some point you have to take the entrepreneurial risk of reopening.
Are we going to make a profit?
Clearly, no, we are not going to make any money, for sure, even full we will not achieve balance.
I even believe that we will lose more money than by remaining closed.
It is the easy choice to remain closed, but it is necessary to resume, to be reborn, he continues.
And like a whole new business, in the beginning there are losses.
"
He does not see it that way, preferring to say to himself "that it is an investment".
For now, it will be the only major Parisian venue to reopen.
Dependent on foreign and provincial clienteles, others still hesitate in the capital.
In the regions, some - few - have already announced the resumption of their magazine.
Thus, the Grand Cabaret, in Vieux-Berquin, near Lille (North), resumes this Saturday while Le Royal Palace, in Kirrwiller (Bas-Rhin), will reopen on October 1.
