American restaurant The Inn at Little Washington in Virginia will be putting mannequins in its dining area to make social distancing feel less awkward.
Instead of letting tables sit vacant, the eatery will place life-size human dolls in the vacant seats.
The restaurant plans to open for dinner on Friday, May 29. Under Virginia’s plan, it could allow customers in for half-capacity outdoor seating as early as Friday, May 15. If Virginia progresses through its first phase of reopening quickly, the restaurant may be able to serve customers inside by the time it opens its doors.
The chef, who studied in drama at college, has been working with a theatre to kit the mannequins out in 1940s-era clothes. Servers will be instructed to pour them drink and to ask them about their evening.
