PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Center City patrons will have more time to experience this year's Restaurant Week deals.
Center City Restaurant Week, will extend through Feb. 4th, and not only give customers an extra week to dine at a deal, but it will also allow businesses to recoup some of the losses because of closures and reservation cancellations due to the storm.
The promotion was initially set from Jan. 18 to 31. About 50 out of the 122 participating restaurants have already agreed to extend the deals, and officials expect that number to climb.
Giavana Pruiti is director of promotions with the Center City District.
"Our January addition of Center City District Restaurant Week is always a huge boost for our restaurants. It's that dip in sales after the holiday season. It's not quite Valentine's, Spring season yet, so this lull in January is difficult for some restaurants, especially when the weather is a curve ball," she said.
Rhythm and Spirits at 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Blvd. is participating in the extended Center City Restaurant Week, and lead chef Lee Sanchez said it brings business the restaurant might not otherwise have.
"It gives people a reason to go out with a great incentive because there is a deal offer," he said. "But losing those two days, we definitely lost revenue. They are not easily replaced."
Center City Restaurant Week used to take place twice a year, in the winter and spring. Last year, the district said it was going forward only with the winter deal.
Northern Liberties Restaurant Week is also underway now through Feb. 8.
Joppy Ferrone is the director of Operations for Silk City and North 3rd restaurants in Nolibs who is hoping for community support.
"Right now with the storm, definitely neighborhood people, but you know by the end of the week we will have all of our travelers coming down as well," he said.
