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Will Restaurants in Central New York Survive This Winter? Will Restaurants In Central New York Survive This Winter?

By Colby Yablon

ANCHOR: The cold winter months are quickly approaching and covid-19 restrictions are still in effect. Many restaurants in central New York are beginning to worry about business because as the temperature drops, so will revenue – unless they can figure out a way to expand or keep outdoor dining an option.
N-C-C- New’s Colby Yablon has more on the story.

COLBY YABLON: The winter months in central New York are dreadful. Temperatures drop to below freezing and snowfall is often in the forecast. With covid19 restrictions still in effect – the people of central New York will have another obstacle to face this upcoming winter.
The general manager at Funk-N-Waffles – Sam Levey – is concerned about the restaurants revenue this coming winter.

SAM LEVEY: It’s going to be interesting to see what our numbers are this year versus last year. Like, i said a big part of our business is having 200 people coming in here to see a local live band on a Friday night and drink and all these things and none of that stuff is going to happen anymore.

YABLON: Local restaurants – who have utilized and implemented outdoor dining – are starting to panic. Due to New York state’s 50 percent capacity law – restaurants are unable to fill up and the cold weather is prohibiting outdoor dining to continue.

LEVEY: what we actually do, who knows.

YABLON: Here in Camillus the restaurant, the brasserie bar and bistro, may have found a solution. Right behind me, you see customers dining inside of tents, or what the restaurant refers to as bubbles. These bubbles will make it possible for outdoor dining to continue in the colder months.

MICHELE ROESCH: It took a month for them to come in because they were in such high demand, but we just got them this week.

YABLON: The braz-uh-ree bar and bistro set up dining pods- or bubbles- in its parking lot to welcome more hungry customers. With the temperatures dropping, these bubbles will allow for a comfortable outdoor dining experience.

ROESCH: But we’re going to try to keep them up as long as we can. For snowstorms they probably won’t be practical, but for lighter snows in the beginning of the season, i think they will be fine.

YABLON: County executive- Ryan McMahon- announced Onondaga county has set aside 200-thousand dollars for local restaurants to purchase outdoor dining materials.
With these funds, you may see more bubbles popping up around central New York.
For N-C-C- News- I’m Colby Yablon.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (N.C.C. News) – The winter season is quickly approaching, and many restaurants in Central New York are panicking because COVID-19 restrictions are still in effect. Restaurants in New York State cannot exceed a maximum capacity of 50% for indoor dining.

Since the outbreak in late March, many restaurants resorted to carry-out and outdoor dining. But, as the temperatures drop in Central New York, outdoor dining will subside. This will be financially detrimental to local restaurants.

The general manager at Funk-N-Waffles, Sam Levey, said he’s concerned about what’s to come for the restaurant and bar.

“It’s going to be interesting to see what our numbers are this year versus last year,” Levey said. “A big part of our business is having 200 people coming in here to see a local live band on a Friday night and drink and all these things, and none of that stuff is going to happen anymore.”

Funk-N-Waffles has not been open for indoor dining, but they are preparing to open their dining room in the upcoming weeks. Levey said due to the restaurant’s limited space, they will only be able to seat eight tables.

The owner of Funk-N-Waffles has been brainstorming ways for the restaurant to increase its capacity while following COVID-19 guidelines.

A restaurant in Camillus, New York, has found a solution. The Brasserie Bar and Bistro has invested in outdoor dining pods, or what they refer to as, “dining bubbles.” Dining pods are set up in the parking lot of the restaurant the Brasserie Bar and Bistro.

The bubbles are located in the Brasserie’s parking lot. They can comfortably seat up to four customers and are equipped with two air vents located at the top of the tent. These vents filter in and out air and also help with air circulation.

Co-owner Michele Roesch said if the bubbles are securely shut, the guest can expect the bubbles temperature to be at least 10 to 15 degrees warmer than the outside air.

“We’re going to try and keep them up for as long as we can,” Roesch said. “For snowstorms, they probably won’t be practical, but for lighter snows in the beginning of the season, they will be fine.”

“To be completely honest, it is a new style of anywhere in this area,” Roesch said. “So, were kind of learning as we go, but right now, the staff is working with me because of 50% indoors. They want to do everything we can to keep those going as long as possible.”

An Onondaga County Executive, Ryan McMahon, announced he has a plan to help restaurants keep outdoor dining open for as long as possible.The County has set aside $200,000 dollars of reimbursement funds for restaurants to invest in items such as space heaters, fire pits, bubbles, igloos, etc. Restaurants will be reimbursed 50% of the total cost up to $5000.

Outdoor dining helped restaurants survive the pandemic. So, the effort to extend it for as long as possible will be beneficial to both local restaurants and the health of customers.

 

 

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