‘Financially Devastated’: 87% Of NYC Bars, Restaurants Couldn’t Make August Rent… Covid Upends Middle-Class Family Finances

https://dailycaller.com/2020/09/21/new-york-city-survey-restaurants-bars-rent-coronavirus/ 

 

A survey found that 87% of New York City restaurants, bars, and nightlife venues couldn’t pay their full rent in August as the city grapples with permanent business closures and unemployment.

The survey by the NYC Hospitality Alliance also showed that 34% of these establishments couldn’t pay rent at all, Patch reported.

The results, which were released Monday, come ahead of the scheduled reopening of indoor dining at 25% capacity starting Sept. 30. If positive rates for coronavirus don’t show significant increase, the capacity will be raised to 50% by Nov. 1, according to Eater.

But many restaurants are struggling to remain afloat in the meantime, and outdoor dining seemingly failed to help many businesses survive the warmer months of the pandemic.

“Restaurants, bars and nightlife venues have been financially devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Andrew Rigie, the group’s executive director, said in a statement according to the NY Post.