NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Sen. Chuck Schumer was in Manhattan on Thursday to help reopen one of New York City’s most iconic restaurants.
“It is so damn good,” Schumer said as he took a bite of the dessert that Junior’s Cheesecake has become famous for.
The senator was on hand Thursday morning to cut the ribbon that officially reopened the 45th Street location.
“It's very clear with all the news media here that we have ‘Baking News,’” Schumer joked.
In March 2020, Junior’s Cheesecake announced that it would be closing all locations in New York City, except for its original Brooklyn location, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
For over a year, the Brooklyn location on Flatbush Avenue has been open for bakery items and special menu item takeout only. The only other location that was open was the bakery outlet in Burlington, New Jersey.
However, customers throughout the country could still order cheesecake via UPS throughout the pandemic.
On Thursday, the restaurant chain officially reopened all restaurants for indoor dining and takeout.
Owner Alan Rosen also notes that Junior’s Cheesecake special promotion giving away a free mini cheesecake to any customer who shows their vaccination card at checkout will continue at all restaurant locations.
“If you get your vaccine and you bring in your vaccination card, you get a free cheesecake. So, please get vaccinated,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Schumer was encouraging all restaurants to apply for Small Business Administration loans to help them keep their doors open throughout the remainder of the pandemic.
“Please apply,” the senator said. “There's $25 billion and you can get up to a $5 million grant to keep the restaurant open.”
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