Charlotte restaurants devise different ways to stay alive through pandemic

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte’s independent restaurants are feeling the crunch as the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on.

Now, a bipartisan bill aims to pump in $120 billion to stabilize independent restaurants that have largely been bypassed by other federal aid programs.

The Real Economic Support that Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed To Survive Act of 2020 — or RESTAURANTS Act of 2020 — was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in mid-June. No further action has been taken to date.

“Relief for the restaurant industry is vital for its continued success. Without it, I don’t see a way as to how many of these restaurants will survive,” says Lynn Minges, president and CEO of the N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association.

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The list of restaurant closings is beginning to grow in Charlotte and it appears no one is immune. Upstream recently closed in SouthPark after two decades. Carpe Diem in Elizabeth decided not to renew its lease after 30 years. Queen City Q pulled the plug on its uptown location, saying it made no sense to pour more money into the business with no path for future success. Restaurants continue to juggle how to pay their bills with limited income. Dining rooms remain limited to 50% capacity — and will stay that way until at least mid-July. 

“Operating at 50% is a significant challenge for restaurants. There are no restaurants whose business model is designed to operate at 50%,” Minges says.

Pandemic shutters popular Elizabeth restaurant that has served Charlotte for 30 years Pandemic shutters popular Elizabeth restaurant that has served Charlotte for 30 years

The result is mounting bills — and, in turn, debt as restaurants stretch to survive. Lease and utilities costs remain fixed, leaving restaurants to juggle food costs, limit menus and cut labor to make ends meet.

Read more here about how some of Charlotte’s independent restaurants are weathering COVID-19.

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