Indoor Dining in NYC. A Tale of 2 Scrooges- Page 2

[Sutton Ross]

A couple of reports are saying two thirds of New York restaurants will close by January if they don't reopen or get help soon. 

[SmoothLover]

I wonder if they consider bars part of these statistics or if they are separate because it seems like bars will have the same problems....

[Sutton Ross]

I'm glad they changed their mind on this, the lawsuits and the economic collapse finally got to them. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Roxy will still complain that having his temperature taken at the door violates some god given right or something.

[Sutton Ross]

Haha, you know it!

[Kad]

He's going to complain that his favorite restaurant closed because New York is DEAD because of Mayor Big Bird.

[Jordan Catalano]

He and the Mrs. are gonna miss that Sbarro.

[SouthernCakes]

But can restaurants sustain at 25%? Seems like they might still be at a loss with kitchen staff, wait staff, managers, etc.

[Jordan Catalano]

Who knows how long until they can go to 50% and then maybe more. Restaurants will, I’m sure, still be doing outdoor dining when they can. And keep in mind that temps here in NYC have been anything but awful the past few winters. I think last Christmas Day was the first one in a couple years I didn’t have to use my AC. I don’t even remember the last time we had a snow storm where the snow wasn’t fully gone the next day because of warm weather.

[Sutton Ross]

SouthernCakes said: "But can restaurants sustain at 25%? Seems like they might still be at a loss with kitchen staff, wait staff, managers, etc."

You were a server in NYC until Covid hit. That's your industry, why don't you tell us?

[SmoothLover]

I used to work in restaurants and the profit margin is anywhere from 2 to 5%. It is a tough business and many restaurants fail (pre Covid) within the first two years. 25% seating capacity is kind of like throwing them a bone. Hopefully the percentage will increase quickly. The restaurants that depend on pre theatre folks will have a very hard time of it. The industry in NYC also gets a boost from tourism which is practically non existent. We will continue to see permanent closures unless there is another stimulus package.

[ACL2006]

The thought process in NJ is that it's believed the capacity restrictions will gradually increase, especially when outdoor dining isn't possible anymore(cold weather). Maybe 33% by mid-October and then 50% by end of November. Don't think we'll see it go past 50%. There's some restaurants here that will or have invested in heaters to keep the outdoor dining going as long as possible.

[SmoothLover]

Many people will not return to restaurants for a long time so many eateries may not have enough customers to go over the allotted percentage anyway. Just a thought...But I hope Covid stays at a low level this Winter so the percentage will go up.

[ErikJ972]

I think I'll wait.

Mayor Issues NYC Indoor Dining Warning as CDC Report Links Eating Out to Higher Risk

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-indoor-dining-returns-in-less-than-3-weeks-heres-what-to-expect/2610306/

[Sutton Ross]

Yeah, the whole thing sucks and is uncomfortable. Unless it's a very special place or a special event, it's really not worth it. As most people know, most Manhattan restaurants are not huge. So, 25% capacity is like, 4 or 5 tables at a time. That's just not sustainable and it's taken 6 months for it to even get there, it will probably be many more until it can rise. Dining across NYS is still at 50% capacity since June with no discussion of increasing it so far. 

[FindingNamo]

I think it's important to restate, because it can't be said enough, not being able to crowd into restaurants as the cold weather season hits in the northern states has absolutely nothing to do with Scrooges.

[SouthernCakes]

Sutton Ross you’re a sad individual. Hope ya feel better! ??

[Sutton Ross]

It was a genuine question I asked you actually. It's weird that it took you 4 days to notice and comment on it, but whatever. 

And nah, I'm not sad, I still LIVE in New York!

[TheatreFan4]

So if that is where his head is at there is no way he will open theaters until there is a vaccine.....

Which is the only way they can re-open. This has nothing to do with where his head's at and purely to do with the logistics of how theatre makes money. They're not going to be breaking even with a 50% cap on capacity nor would they even hit that without audiences feeling secure in their safety to sit with 1000+ other people in an old theatre with poor ventilation. 

[SmoothLover]

I am noticing tarps over outdoor dining structures in NYC. I suppose it is safer than indoors but I was surprised the city gave the thumbs up.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Part of the issue with indoor spread is inadequate ventilation and air flow. Even in a tarped pavilion you're in a better ventilated space than some of the restaurants in NYC.

That being said, I've now eaten indoors twice here since that restriction was partially lifted. Both times my boyfriend and I were at one of the few occupied tables. It helps that the places we went were rarely particularly busy even before the pandemic, but it's possible with some planning to find a place where you can eat indoors and feel like proper social distancing measures are in place.

[ACL2006]

It's bizarre. Just in the tri-state area, it differs. Connecticut can now have indoor dining at 75%, upstate NY is at 50%, NJ is expected to be at 50% by Nov. 1. NYC seems.to be last in the country in moving into another phase, even partially. With numbers going up, I hope it doesn't force places to backpedal.

[Sutton Ross]

I recently went to  Café du Soleil, I thought their tent idea was creative and great looking. I know a lot of restaurants can't have this set up for a number of reasons, but it's a hell of a lot better than a tarp. 



 

[Sutton Ross]

Indoor dining will be closed again in NYC starting Monday. Congress refuses to help anyone, so I don't see any restaurants other than chains and very expensive ones surviving.

Heartbreaking but health and safety come first. 

[ACL2006]

I get the reasoning for shutting down indoor dining, but these restaurants need relief if they're ever to reopen. Have any restaurants kept their outdoor dining set-ups?