Posts by ESRTA

New York State’s requirement that all food and beverage sales and consumption cease and patrons vacate the premises by 10 pm every night remains in effect in all parts of the state. Many called on the State to suspend this rule Saturday night for the Buffalo Bills game, but according to a spokesperson for the Department…

Empire State Development (ESD) has announced the more than $3 million “Raising the Bar” Restaurant Recovery Fund to assist restaurants in New York State during the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant funding has been made possible through financial donations led by Diageo North America and supported by Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits (a division of Southern…

Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order tonight extending the authority to sell alcohol-to-go for thirty days (through January 29, 2021). The restrictions requiring food to be purchased with alcohol and prohibition on sales after 10 pm remain in place.

Buffalo area restaurant owners awaiting day in court to argue for reopening A State Supreme Court Justice in Buffalo will hear arguments next week in a lawsuit brought by dozens of Western New York restaurants. They are asking him to lift New York State’s ban on indoor dining under the Orange Zone which has encompassed…

New York Forward Loan Fund New York State is inviting small businesses, non-profits and small residential landlords across New York State to apply for the New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF).  It is an economic recovery program offered by New York State to help small businesses move forward and thrive.  It offers five-year working capital…

As the fight to include the RESTAURANTS Act into the Federal COVID relief got down to the nitty gritty and GOP Senators refused to agree to grants for small restaurants, one of the most active voices in the fight, the National Restaurant Association (NRA), seemed to take their foot of the gas pedal. While the…

This article from Eater New York provides helpful insight into what the new Federal relief package includes, excludes, and how it came to pass.  

The $900 billion federal pandemic relief bill expected to be passed by Congress today includes help for many grappling with unemployment and food and housing insecurity, but resistance from Republican Senators prevented the RESTAURANTS Act from being added to the bill. As we previously reported, these Senators resisted any attempts to include grants for hard-hit,…

The New York State Liquor Authority and New York City have issued updated guidance and FAQs to address the new restrictions on indoor dining in New York City. You can find the updated guidance here: New York State Liquor Authority Guidance on Closing of Indoor Dining in New York City New York City COVID-19 Dining…

The U.S. House and Senate are scrambling to reach agreement on a compromise Covid relief package. As the negotiations have dragged on this week, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) have emerged as the major obstacles to getting grants for small, independent restaurants into the agreement. Senator Schumer has been leading the…