I took over a small tea room at the beginning of the year - it was all going well, I've developed a rapport with the regular customers and I am training a casual staff member to cover in my absence - until a week ago when I was struck down with flu! I'm furious with myself because business resilience was one of my priority areas and I knew I needed to sort it ASAP; I've not been ill for years and I'll have cover in another few weeks - typical!
I'm reopening on Friday after being closed for 5 business days (there has been a notice in the window apologising for the closure) and I would appreciate opinions on how best to deal with the response from customers - some are quite opinionated and have already made it clear how they would do things, and there are others who rely on the tea room for social contact or make a special journey to visit.
I was thinking of offering a free tea/coffee to those regulars who mention that they'd been disappointed to find me closed, and most people will be lovely about it - but how should I deal with the criticism and comments I'm likely to receive, especially in front of other customers who may not know I'd been closed?