Reopening California: North Bay bakery rehires employees after coronavirus furlough; locals see it as positive sign

SAN ANSELMO, Calif. (KGO) -- For any small business, a line is a good sign, and the longer, the better.

In this case, it also represents a promise of better times.

"I don't know any of these people but to just be around some other human beings, even with masks on?" said Danny Arrras of Kentfield as she waited.

RELATED: 3 counties branch off from strict Bay Area stay-at-home order, changes to come Monday

And so the crowd gathered outside M.H. Bread and Butter in San Anselmo, where owner Devon Yanko allowed social distancing customers to enter one at a time while her husband, Nathan, finished gluten free muffins in the back.

"What time did you begin today?" we asked Nathan.

"2:45." As in a.m.

M.H. Bread and Butter had high energy on Thursday, and with good reason. When the coronavirus hit in full, this bakery laid off 37 employees. Two months later, Wednesday and Thursday, they returned to work.

"Putting people into financial hardship is never easy," Devon Yanko told us. "We were telling people we would bring you back but we didn't know if it was true."

"We were just trying to remain open," added Nathan. "That they had a business to return to was important for us."

RELATED: Santa Rosa man's mannequins send social distancing message; 'Even a dummy can do it'

That return happened only after the bakery received a federal payroll protection loan, and that in the second round.

Baker Dan Ferreira came back to work on Wednesday. "It was a long time one we found our routine. At the beginning I didn't think we would be out until May."

But they were. And now they're back. And if you believe in the symbolism of baby steps, take the return of this small business to heart -- a small story that perhaps represents something larger.

"Feels like we might be getting back to some kind of normal at some point," said Danny Arras, still waiting.

Normal. The old one.

Who wouldn't stand in line for that?

If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.

Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:

• COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources, information
• INTERACTIVE TIMELINE: How close was CA to becoming a NY-level crisis?
• Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US, around the world
• What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
• How California's COVID-19 cases stack up against other hot spot states
• Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
• Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area/
• List: Where can I get tested for COVID-19 in the Bay Area?
• COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during novel coronavirus pandemic
• Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
• What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
• Stimulus calculator: How much money should you expect from coronavirus relief bill
• WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on Asian American community
• WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on African American community
• WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on Latino community
• What Bay Area tenants need to know about rent payments, eviction amid COVID-19 outbreak
• Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
• Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
• List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
• Canceled late fees, free services available amid COVID-19 crisis
• Here's how you can help during COVID-19 pandemic
• How to maintain learning during school closures
• No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
• Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions