Danny Meyer, New York City-based restaurateur, said that he has “so much hope” for the future of dining in the city, reports CNBC. Last week, Meyer’s company, Union Square Hospitality Group, opened two of its well-known NYC restaurants, Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern, for the first time since before Thanksgiving, said Meyer.
“The goosebumps and the good feeling that that generated amongst both our staff members and our guests was palpable,” he said on CNBC’s Squawk Box. “That will build on itself, especially as you see sidewalks heaving with people as opposed to looking like a bunch of boarded-up windows with ‘For Rent’ signs.”
These comments come as New York City’s indoor dining capacity expands to 50 percent, up from 35 percent.
Meyer believes that many of the changes that occurred during the pandemic will remain in the future, making the industry stronger than ever.
“Digital ordering with takeout, delivery, pickup, selling wine out the door, shipping food across the country on Goldbelly—so many of those things that we learned to do during the pandemic are going to stick,” he said.
“Most of us never had outdoor dining. When we get to the point where we’re 100 percent indoor, plus outdoor dining, shipping, takeout, delivery, it’s going to be better than it’s ever been,” Meyer continued. “I’m not Pollyanna about our business. I understand how challenged the restaurant industry has been, but I believe this has actually taught us the icing that we’ve always needed on top of the cake.” Full Story
Related: Half of Restaurants Plan to Incentivize Vaccines for Employees; Restaurant Relief Fund Injects Optimism Into Industry.
Image: Union Square Hospitality Group