Here in Rhode Island, so many of our choices when it is time to eat revolve around restaurants. It is one of the real privileges of living in this state that we have so many from which to choose. And we continue to have numerous choices.
One of the perceptions that hangs over us is that the entire restaurant industry in these parts – virtually every eatery in every city and town – is on the verge of closing its doors forever. As always, there is no intent to minimize anyone’s difficulty. These are times of great stress for many who have put their heart and soul into their businesses. Please know that all good wishes go with those who are struggling.
That said, the numbers do not reflect the dire warnings. Through the month of October, restaurant business in Rhode Island continued its upward trend. Open Table’s “The state of the restaurant industry” web page includes a comparison of the number of seated diners, year over year, at a sample of restaurants that subscribe to the Open Table online reservation service. According to the data, Rhode Island is in better shape than many, if not most, states and large cities.
A deeper dive reveals the momentousness of how individual guests’ choices can have a major effect on business. On specific days, business was down as much as 32% over the same day a year ago. Other days, business was up by a third. What is driving the ups and downs? Not dire predictions or increasing positive day-to-day coronavirus cases. Quite simply, on days when business was significantly down, there was inclement weather. On Friday, Oct. 16, it rained heavily in Rhode Island. Restaurant numbers were down almost 20% compared with a year ago. On Thursday, Oct. 1, the weather was clear, the daytime high temperature was 77 degrees, only cooling off to 61 that evening, and restaurant bookings were up 32% over the same date in 2019.
Statistics are, of course, a snapshot in time. Steps are being taken to try to maintain those encouraging numbers. For example, Bob Burke has made extensive safety upgrades at Pot au Feu – some of the most elaborate in the state. The first two weeks of October saw just the beginning of Kay’s Restaurant’s igloos, which Lt. Gov. Daniel J. McKee praised on his statewide tour stop in Woonsocket on Oct. 16. Also, the response has yet to be seen to Rhode Island Hospitality Association’s first distribution of more than 12,000 blankets, hand warmers and outdoor heaters to numerous eateries throughout the state. Initial reviews are overwhelmingly favorable. The #BYOBlanket initiative is open to any restaurant in the state regardless of membership in the association.
There is also the matter of numerous appeals from business associations in and out of the industry for guests to patronize local restaurants. The question raised by such appeals is this: Can civic obligation to support businesses override our individual concerns about our own health and safety? So far, we have the desire, the means and the opportunity to return to our favorite restaurant. We want our restaurants to be there for us just about any way we can get them. And we appreciate how our state’s restaurant owners, chefs and staffs have braved the pandemic to offer us hospitality that we needed – and continue to need – more than we know. n
Bruce Newbury’s “Dining Out” radio talk show is heard Saturdays at 11 a.m. on 1540 AM WADK, on radio throughout New England, through various mobile applications and his podcast. Email Bruce at Bruce@brucenewbury.com.