A few items from the retail world. When I was in Newtonville on Sunday Rancatore’s was already closed, and it looked like LeDu’s Thai wasn’t doing a brisk business, or nearly any at all. The Cherry Tree in West Newton announced that this is the end for them, making tonight a last call. Across the street, the West Newton Cinema set up a GoFundMe page just to try to stay alive. The Dumpling House in West Newton has seen sales drive 80% recently, and when I walked in to pick up a takeout order the other day there was not one person in the restaurant.
The Newton-Needham Regional Chamber has launched a Dine Local Takeout Challenge to try to drive business to some of the local restaurants trying to stay afloat. I know my wife is hoping that Sandwich Works in Newton Centre is able to make a go of its takeout-only business.
However long this lasts, the retail landscape in Newton is going to look a lot different on the other side.
I just donated to the West Newton GoFundMe and shared the message in the Newton Civic Forum FB group.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-west-new-cinema
Is anyone working with landlords of local businesses to see if they can and are willing to help their tenants get through this period? Seems like it might be something the Newton/Needham Chamber of Commerce might be able to get involved in.
I don’t know which COVID-19 thread to post this on, but Stop and Shop has just announced it is opening up early so that seniors can shop. The “senior shopping time” is 6am – 7:30am. This is a huge help for those who haven’t been able to get to the supermarkets for a week due to the crowds.
RE: Sandwich Works – they’re open and ready to help out!
https://www.facebook.com/123776941001972/photos/a.1230347223678266/3099106540135649/?type=3&theater
On the rent issue, I did bring this up with the chair of the EDC. I’m not sure it’s a top priority at the moment, but I agree that it needs to happen so we can keep businesses open. I’ve read that the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission is NOT giving more time to closed bars and restaurants to allow them to pay their bills. Requests for deferrals are still expected to go through the same hearing process as normal. This isn’t good for them, since this is likely to be a big imposition on those that serve alcohol.
In regards to cherry tree, last call for good? Or last call until this crisis is over?
A question: I just read that New Jersey instituted a curfew and all stores must close by 8 PM. I’ve also seen calls locally for a curfew.
Every other proposed control (ban large gatherings, work at home, shut down restaurants, etc) all make obvious sense to me. For the life of me, I can’t imagine the motivation behind a curfew. This is especially true in regards to essential stores – supermarkets and pharmacies. The biggest concerns I’ve heard about going to supermarkets is encountering crowds. One would think that the powers-that-be would want to encourage people to shop at different hours rather than constrain the hours of operation.
Likewise, people getting outside, getting some exercise and fresh air is important. The biggest obstacle to that is running into other people. Night time walks are something I think should be encouraged rather than banned.
Does anybody here understand the rationale for curfews?