New York City restaurant owners say everyday is a struggle to stay afloat amid the coronavirus pandemic and are begging lawmakers for a break.
Some restaurant owners in the five boroughs say the city needs a plan for indoor dining – and fast.
Tren’ness Woods-Black, of the iconic Sylvia’s Restaurant in Harlem, says the industry is working on small margins and wants to know when they can start making money again.
“We're not asking to open tomorrow, we're simply asking for the simplest thing; a plan, a plan, some input, some direction, some light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.
She’s not the only one who feels that way.
Andrew Riggi, the executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, which represents hundreds of restaurants and nightlife venues in the city, says Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo need to explain why restaurants must remain closed in the five boroughs when you can eat indoors elsewhere in the state.
“Why can you eat indoors in Yonkers and Westchester County, but you cannot eat indoors a hundred yards down in the Bronx,” he questions.
At his coronavirus briefing yesterday Mayor de Blasio said indoor dining might not resume until a vaccine is available.
When New York City entered Phase 4 several weeks ago, it was decided that some industries would remain closed and indoor dining was placed on hold.
However, restaurants across the state have all begun some form of indoor dining, limited to around 25% capacity.
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