So, life is rosy again for our restaurants, right?
Not exactly.
While a recent spike in COVID cases doesn’t seem to be keeping customers from dining out, the two-and-a-half-year struggle for survival in the hospitality sector has far from abated.
Staff shortages, inventory shortages and inflation are the biggest impediments, a group of restaurant operators noted at a meeting of ourDining Collaborative yesterday.
“Everything costs double,” one owner said.
“We’re still not looking at growing revenue, we're just looking to find the staff to stay open,” said another.
“A case of gloves went up 46% last week, if I can find them... Prices on everything are going up so much – when’s it going to stop?”
I mention this only to remind us all that our independent restaurants still need our support and our understanding when we encounter menu substitutions, price increases or slower than preferred service.
We’ve also just updated our Easy Eats Directory, a one-stop shop for you to browse catering (order lunch to reward your onsite workers!) or private event venues for a wide variety of occasions from chamber member restaurants.
And if you're a local restaurant operator interested in attending our twice monthly Dining Collaborative meetings, email Maxime to learn more.
Here's something that could help
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote next week on a bill that would replenish a restaurant relief program that ran out of money before all qualified applicants --including quite a few in our communities -- were funded.
278,000 applications were submitted last year to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. But the SBA could only fund approximately 101,000 of them.
The House has already has passed legislation that provides about $42 billion for restaurants and $13 billion to create an industry-neutral relief program for small businesses that saw precipitous drops in revenue because of the pandemic, writes Andy Medici for the BBJ.
Watertown City Manager hopefuls say 'pick me'!
The three finalists for Watertown City Manager --, John Curran, Norman Khumalo and George Proakis – each spent an hour introducing themselves to the public Monday. I found the different perspectives to be extremely informative.
A state program designed to encourage buying electric vehicles instead of gas guzzlers, has not had its intended benefit, an analysis of the state’s electric car rebate programs.
But when program participants were asked “Would you have purchased or leased your EV without the MOR–EV rebate?” 57 percent of MOR-EV beneficiaries answered “yes.”
In addition, the vast majority of the program’s rebates have gone to subsidize luxury e-vehicles in well-off communities, including in our west suburban communities (map here).
In 2019, the Baker administration stopped paying rebates for cars that cost more than $50,000. It's now considering lowering the cap and other reforms.
Other need to knows
The Bulfinch Companies is holding webinars tomorrow (May 12) and again on May 19 at 7:30 p.m. to present its vision for redeveloping the former Muzi Motors site along I-95 in Needham. The link for either event is here. Learn more about the proposed Highland Innovation Center, including artist renderings and documents here
Needham Open Studiosis back. On Saturday and Sunday (May 14-15) more than 50 local Needham artists will showcase their art in 12 group and home studio locations across Needham.
Newton Community Farm’s Annual Seedling Sale is also this weekend (May 14-15) from noon to 5 p.m. Choose from over 27,000 seedlings grown at Newton's only farm. Details.
The Watertown Comprehensive Plan Visioning Forum is happening May 19 at 7 p.m. at the Hosmer School cafeteria. Attend in person or online to make sure the needs for growing your business and other businesses are part of the planning process.
Wellesley is launching its Sustainable Mobility Plan this month to outline the community-wide initiatives and actions Wellesley government is targeting to enable more mobility alternatives, from sidewalk connectivity to bike racks, road crossing lights, and bike lanes for everyone.
Looking for help getting your business to the next level?
SBA is offering a 6-month intensive program to help CEOs and executives get unstuck and take their business to the next level.
Participants will learn leadership skills through an MBA-level curriculum, receive tailored business coaching, and build relationships with a community of business owners, advisors, and experts. Details .
Reunited!
We all have -- and have heard -- stories about family members and friends reuniting after being apart for two-plus years due to the pandemic.
This isn’t about that.
This is about my reunion with an old favorite pair of sneakers.
Before this week, I last saw the running shoes in this picture on March 19, 2022. I had just finished my work out the old Boston Sports Club on Wells Ave and tossed them in my locker.
A couple days later Gov. Charlie Baker issued an emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 essential services” to close their doors.
But even before that, Boston Sports Club filed for bankruptcy, laying off 7,000 employees across 200 clubs. Attorney General Maura Healey was involved too, accusing the company of breaking the law by continuing to collect monthly fees.
The facility at 135 Wells Ave. has been closed ever since.
And I never expected to see my gym shoes again.
But this week Jack Fucci, president and chief executive at the West Suburban YMCA, showed up at the chamber office with my (apparently now fashionable) clunky silver and blue Saucony sneaks.
I had mentioned the story of my lost shoes to Jack when I heard about the Y’s plans this spring. Somehow, he found them for me.
I look forward to wearing them at 135 Wells Ave. once again when the Y reopens the building later this year.
That’s Need to Knows for today – it's National Receptionist Day -- unless you need to know whathow to ask Google to take your personal data out of its search results.
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