After months of quarantines, many are eager to begin a transition back into something resembling “normal”. For many a part of normal, everyday life is going out to eat at a favorite local restaurant. And in the midst of countries and states reopening, how to maintain safe distances from other remains a big concern. So when a restaurant named Fish Tales, located in Maryland, stumbled upon the next big thing in social distancing and dining, we had to share! Behold the Bumper Table:
Alright, let’s break this down. As you can see, there are giant inflatable inner tubes a top a wheeled table. There also appears to be some cupholders (hooray for cocktails!) and a surface to eat food! One of the owners of Fish Tales, Donna Harman, shared that her cousin was the mastermind behind the idea. Harman’s cousin operates the event company Revolution Event and Design and Production, based in Baltimore. Harman shared with CNN that, “If you put the two tables together, you can’t get within 6 feet of each other — and it’s fun.” Honestly, it looks so, so fun.
As of now, the owners of Fish Tales have purchased 10 of these bumper tables, with plans to buy 40 more. Their plan is to use the tables in their 3,000-square-foot parking lot and each table will be sanitized between each customer. According to The Baltimore Sun, “The 38-inch-tall tables can accommodate people ranging in heights from 4 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet, 2 inches. Customized tables cost $500 each, non-customized tables are $400 each, and tables can be rented for $200 per day.” Sounds like a lot of money up front, but when one thinks about how priceless life is, $500 is a cheap.
While some might see this as a gimmick or a way to drive up attention, we think it’s brilliant. If more bars and pubs had the space to utilize these, we could all go back to have pints and snacks as government mandates allow. But we want to know what you think! Are Bumper Tables something you would use? Or do you think this is a step too far? Let us know in the comments and as always, from all of us a Trill!: stay safe, stay healthy and don’t forget to wash your hands.
