Some restaurants in New York have stopped offering takeout and delivery because of the coronavirus outbreak, reports the New York Post. In addition to being unsafe for employees, many restaurant owners are finding that takeout and delivery aren’t enough to keep their businesses up and running.
“We are really left with nothing, and I’m talking nothing: two bank accounts went to zero within one week after the last payroll,” said Cristina Castaneda, who closed her two remaining restaurants, El Mitote and Ella Social, because she couldn’t find a safe way to continue business.
Jeremy Wladis, president of Restaurant Group, which owns Good Enough to Eat, Harvest Kitchen, and Brad’s Burgers & BBQ, had to lay off 75 people and shift to a crew of 15 to 20 part-time employees on rotating shifts to keep business going. “We are losing money to do it, because we still have to pay basics like rent and electricity, but we are open so I can pay people something,” said Wladis.
Many owners, like Castaneda, aren’t sure they will be able to reopen without government assistance. “I don’t see a way unless there are some bailouts,” Castaneda said. “My landlords have been very supportive to me in the past, but I don’t know in today’s circumstances what will be possible for them either.” Full Story
Related: Restaurants Get Creative to Keep Afloat Amid Covid-19; Union Square Hospitality Group Lays off 2,000 Employees.
from Specialty Food News https://ift.tt/39dnYiW
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