PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A new report underlines the devastating impact pandemic-related restrictions had on Center City restaurants and retail establishments last year. But there are also some optimistic indicators.
The report by the Center City District and Central Philadelphia Development Corporation found that between March and December, Philly lost more than 68,000 jobs. Restaurants and food services were hardest hit, with retailers and service providers such as banks and gyms not far behind.
However, CCD President and CEO Paul Levy said those who survived showed remarkable flexibility and creativity. For instance, by year's end, 70% of all restaurants had outdoor dining.
Read the report here.
"And those who couldn't afford to do that switched to e-commerce and take out," he added. "We really admire the incredible entrepreneurial nature of businesses who were struggling against amazing odds."
Now with COVID-19 case numbers falling and the arrival of spring just weeks away, Levy's glass is half-full for the first time. "There's no doubt there will be a real pickup by the time we get to spring and warmer weather," he predicted.
"You project forward the recovery and I think we are well positioned to come out of this so that by the summer and clearly by the fall, office workers (are) back, hotels (are) beginning to fill up. We'll get the demand back."