Month: June 2020

As we know, the restaurant industry is working hard to combat the aftermath of COVID-19 isolation. The industry has led the charge back into the re-opening phases. Here are just a few of the precautions that restaurants are taking in order to protect their staff and diners from exposure.

Increased Cleanliness

Most restaurants have introduced newer enhanced safety and sanitation protocols. They are doing things like using disposable menus, using disposable silverware, and moving tables further away from each other. Additionally, some locations keep their layout the same but keep certain tables empty to ensure that guests are spaced out. Many servers wear masks for the safety of themselves and others.

Take Out

Local restaurants and chains alike are offering curbside takeout or delivery options. In a majority of Tampa restaurants, all it takes is a phone call once you are curbside to have your food delivered straight to your vehicle. Delivery apps, such as Doordash, even offer free delivery at certain times for local eateries.

Enjoy A Meal Al Fresco 

Many places are also going cashless in order to reduce contact between staff and diners. Some have even started to add outdoor seating, so the usual crowd can come in, yet dine at proper distances. Tampa even allowed restaurants and retailers to use adjacent sidewalks and public right-of-way to seat more people, which helps encourage social distancing.

How You Can Help

“It’s day by day, but really, half-day to half-day at this point,” said Hope Montgomery, who runs the downtown St. Petersburg restaurant Brick & Mortar and the newly opened SeaWorthy Fish + Bar in Tierra Verde with her husband Jason Ruhe. Local restaurants and bars need our support more than ever right now. That might come in the form of extra tips for the service workers bringing us our takeout or delivery, or writing nice reviews for them online if you’ve had a good experience. Check out our list of more ways that you can support your favorite local restaurants here.

There are currently no reports of the coronavirus being transmitted through food. If you do decide to dine out, be safe, and enjoy!

Suites@Madison, located in downtown Tampa, is a short term office space with hourly meeting rooms also available. Whether you need quick on-demand access to a workspace, an ergonomic affordable private office, a corporate classroom, or conference room space, Suites@Madison is here to help! The following list contains the options available to you. We have options available to suit a wide range of needs.

On-Demand Desks

This option is ideal for the professional on the go! Grab a desk and get to work, easy as that. With access to high speed internet, copy and print services and shared space amenities, this is a great solution to getting the most out of your workday without being stuck in a traditional, long term office space. 

Adjacent Suite

The private offices at Suites@Madison are perfect for those who need a downtown Tampa address without worrying about a permanent lease of traditional office space. With beautiful window views of the city and locking doors to keep personal and company items secure, this option is furnished to fit your needs.

Training Room

This room has all you need to train your staff. With up to 50 seats, audio/visual hookups, a large whiteboard, wifi and refreshments, your meeting will go without a hitch in our spacious training room. You may cancel reservations for this room free of charge up to 24 hours before your reservation start time, making it a very flexible option.

Conference Room

With stunning window views, private setting that seats up to 7 people, audio and visual hookups, as well as ample outlets, this conference room is sure to meet your professional needs. Come and have your meeting in a clean, comfortable, and professional work environment. 

Individual Offices

Amenities For Everyone

Stay connected with clients from a convenient location downtown with this option. This solution is great for a small team or single staff members that need a semi-permanent workspace. The space is equipped with a filing cabinet and storage locker and also includes common area access. 

All of our guests have access to the office amenities, such as the Keurig coffee bar area. There is also open seating where professionals can relax and take a breather as necessary.

Who Survived?

For many retailers that were struggling before the pandemic even hit, the aftermath of coronavirus has been disastrous. With the economic shutdown and social distancing behaviors that are being enforced, many retailers are not surviving the pandemic. There are some retailers that are flourishing, however. Chains that have grocery components such as Walmart, Target, and Costco especially, are seeing record sales. Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s are also doing well because many people have chosen to do some “redecorating” during the stay at home order. The increase in business has shown where peoples’ priorities lie when distressed during a crisis.

Notable Bankruptcy Filings

Here is a rundown of the major companies dealing with the large financial fallout of the coronavirus.

J-Crew: This massive New York apparel company filed for bankruptcy on May 4th after seeing a large slump in sales and battling mounting debt.

Neiman Marcus: The luxe department store filed for bankruptcy on May 7th. All of its stores including Bergdorf Goodman closed due to the virus with the company furloughing most of its workforce. That move placed nearly 14,000 people out of work.

True Religion: This denim retailer filed for bankruptcy on April 13. It was actually its second time filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in less than three years. True Religion said in its court filing that it would’ve preferred to wait out the financial instability and stay-at-home restrictions prompted by the outbreak, but “simply could not afford to do so.” 

Virgin Australia: Australia’s second-biggest airline behind Qantas, and it announced on April 21 that it is undergoing the third party led restructuring that could potentially lead them to a sale. Virgin Australia was actually rejected for a 1.4 billion Australian dollar ($897 million) government loan before entering into what is the Australian equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

Sweet Tomatoes/Souplantation:
Garden Fresh Restaurants, the owner of buffet chains Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes, has chosen to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The company also opted to liquidate its assets and close its doors for good. “Given FDA regulations, we don’t think we could reopen any time this year,” CEO John Haywood told Restaurant Business last week. The move means the end of a 42-year-old chain.