CARP – The alarming spike of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ottawa has resulted in the Juke Joint Soul Kitchen to voluntarily revert to a take-out only menu.

A recent spike in Ottawa area COVID-19 cases, which some are referring to as a second wave, has seen cases skyrocket in the area over recent days with the province stating Ontario could be heading for 1,000 cases a day by mid-October. The most recent numbers show a low number of cases in the West Carleton area, although Coun. Eli El-Chantiry disputes those figures.

Regardless, Juke Joint co-owner Corri Greenberg, has made the difficult decision to return to take-out only, despite there being no restrictions against Ottawa restaurants continuing to serve customers in their establishments.

“In light of the recent rise in COVID-19 numbers and in the interest of keeping everyone, our staff, family, and customers, safe, we are choosing to revert back to take-out only, starting Tuesday, Oct. 6,” Greenberg released in a statement yesterday (Oct. 4). “We want to be extremely careful and wish to ensure we’re doing our part in getting through these difficult times. We appreciate your continued support.”

Its been a challenging time for West Carleton restaurants in the era of COVID-19. West Carleton Online spoke to three of them including the Juke Joint last April.

With the change back to take-out only, the Juke Joint will offer a few new services.

“Watch for our new take out containers, made from sugar cane, in the next week,” Greenberg said. “There are a couple of other exciting changes on the horizon (details to come):”

• Canned craft beer and select wines to go
• Freezer meals pick-up
• Dinner delivery in a pre-determined zone