Sen. Richard Blumenthal
December 3, 2020
Restaurant crisis escalating, industry reps tell lawmaker
Photo | Contributed
CRA’s Scott Dolch (far right) with Sen. Richard Blumenthal at Olio Restaurant in Groton in 2020.
By Liese Klein
The state’s restaurant crisis is worsening and many more eateries are expected to close across Connecticut in coming months, industry representatives said today in a virtual roundtable with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
“This is an entire industry in our state that is on the verge of collapse,” said Connecticut Restaurant Association Executive Director Scott Dolch, adding that he gets calls daily from restaurants planning to close.
Restaurant owners vented anger and despair in the comments of the roundtable, which was attended by more than 120 people.
"We r hanging on by a thread we need help now," one attendee wrote. "Do not want my employees & family to become another statistic. We need action immediately," another said.
Last week marked a new low in restaurant revenue due to the new pandemic surge and ongoing restrictions, Dolch said.
“This is the most difficult time right now our industry has faced, it’s extremely scary,” Dolch said. “People aren’t coming out to support [restaurants] like they should.”
Blumenthal blamed national politics for the delay in helping the restaurant industry.
“The major obstacle has been the majority leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell,” Blumenthal said. Federal pandemic-aid packages currently in play in Washington are much smaller than what’s needed but lawmakers hope to have a deal by the holidays, he added.
Blumenthal added that that both parties agree that PPP loans should not be taxed as income ‒ a major industry concern ‒ and he hopes a bill clarifying the issue will be part of any aid package.
Dolch said the industry doesn't need a perfect aid package as the crisis worsens.
Scott Dolch
“We don’t have time for that,” Dolch said. “Getting something done is everything.”
More than 600 restaurants have already closed across the state this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Downtown Hartford culinary star Trumbull Kitchen announced this week it would close for the winter due to slow business.
Dolch warned this summer of a "mass extinction event" for state restaurants due to pandemic restrictions.
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Anonymous
December 3, 2020
Our state officials must take action. There is no time to wait on our federal government to respond.
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