Indoor Dining Starts Upstate Today

Restaurants in five upstate regions — North Country, Mohawk Valley, Central New York, the Southern Tier, and the Finger Lakes — will be able to relaunch indoor dining on Friday, June 11, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced during his daily press conference today. Those venues must meet  strict guidelines  to reopen, including implementing social distancing measures and keeping dining rooms under 50 percent of regular capacity.

Get the word out your restaurant is OPEN for business

David Jones, co-founder and CEO of the  Blazing Onion  fast-casual chain says getting his message of safety out to guests and employees has been one of the most important tasks he’s taken on. Using the right words and tone to reach a mass audience during the crisis was and is mission critical.

National Restaurant Association Emphasizes Industry Unity as Restaurants Reopen

As restaurants begin to reopen, Tom Bené, the National Restaurant Association’s new President & CEO, said the organization’s focus is on helping operators meet the changing needs and expectations of consumers, while providing them with the necessary tools and capabilities to adapt to the new operating environments resulting from the COVID-19 health crisis. 

Front-Row Seat: Ready to rock? Venues plan for live-music future

As the Finger Lakes wends through the reopening process, venues are looking ahead to when — and how — they can host live music again