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How Tampa Bay Restaurants are Handling the Crackdown of COVID-19 Regulations

Many local restaurants and bars are struggling to adjust to recent regulations put in place by local governments and authorities. This fall, Governor DeSantis lifted all COVID-19 restrictions that had been put in place for businesses, leading to bars and restaurants resuming their normal operations. This included customers congregating in indoor or outdoor spaces without the use of masks or social distancing guidelines. Although, each local government has the authority to put their own rules in place. 

As the cases continued to rise, the City of Tampa decided to put these regulations back in place and start cracking down on those who violated them at the beginning of the new year. These rules include customers wearing masks at all times unless they are seated with food or drink, restricting the congregation around bars or dance floors, and tight regulations on the number of guests allowed at indoor seating areas. 

Code enforcement along with TPD officers are visiting the bars and restaurants that are most likely known to be violating these guidelines and holding large congregations of individuals. If they come across any violations of these new regulations, the businesses will receive a citation. Businesses with two or more citations are facing a trial of the suspension of their liquor license if they continue to be noncompliant with the new rules. 

There are three businesses in Tampa Bay that are being sent to trial- MacDinton’s Irish Pub, Tangra Nightclub, and Ybor Cigars Plus. They are required to go in front of city council members who ultimately have the final say over alcohol sales on the businesses’ premises. 

Although these harsh regulations and fines are making it tougher for local businesses to  get by during these hard times, Jane Castor, mayor of the City of Tampa, is doing what she thinks is right for Tampa in the long run and for the safety of all citizens. How do you think this will affect businesses and individuals? 

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City of Tampa Cracks Down on Bars & Restaurants

Many local restaurants and bars are struggling to adjust to recent regulations put in place by local governments and authorities. This fall, Governor DeSantis lifted all COVID-19 restrictions that had been put in place for businesses, leading to bars and restaurants resuming their normal operations. This included customers congregating in indoor or outdoor spaces without the use of masks or social distancing guidelines. Although, each local government has the authority to put their own rules in place. 

As the cases continued to rise, the City of Tampa decided to put these regulations back in place and start cracking down on those who violated them at the beginning of the new year. These rules include customers wearing masks at all times unless they are seated with food or drink, restricting the congregation around bars or dance floors, and tight regulations on the number of guests allowed at indoor seating areas. 

Code enforcement along with TPD officers are visiting the bars and restaurants that are most likely known to be violating these guidelines and holding large congregations of individuals. If they come across any violations of these new regulations, the businesses will receive a citation. Businesses with two or more citations are facing a trial of the suspension of their liquor license if they continue to be noncompliant with the new rules. 

There are three businesses in Tampa Bay that are being sent to trial- MacDinton’s Irish Pub, Tangra Nightclub, and Ybor Cigars Plus. They are required to go in front of city council members who ultimately have the final say over alcohol sales on the businesses’ premises. 

Although these harsh regulations and fines are making it tougher for local businesses to  get by during these hard times, Jane Castor, mayor of the City of Tampa, is doing what she thinks is right for Tampa in the long run and for the safety of all citizens. How do you think this will affect businesses and individuals? 

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Review: The Attic Cafe – Downtown Tampa Coffee/Craft Beer

The Attic is located on Kennedy Boulevard in the heart of downtown Tampa, located on the top floor of a 100 year old historic building. The local cafe, established in 2015, serves a wide range of breakfast, lunch, and caffeinated beverages. Not only do they offer coffee and tea beverages, they also have a variety of local beer taps, ciders, wine, and kombucha. 

I started off with a hot Macchiato since I thought it would be fitting for a cool fall day, and all of the fall decor in the cafe gave me that feel. With so many options available for breakfast, I decided to get the Veggie Omelet with toast and hash browns. Max, my co-worker who I brought along, got the Croissant breakfast sandwich and french toast. My omelet had spinach, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and cheddar, a perfect morning combo. 

The french toast came beautifully dusted with powdered sugar and whipped cream- if you have a sweet tooth this is the perfect choice for you. I definitely recommend everything we ordered, and I can’t wait to go back to try out more menu options. 

The overall ambiance of the cafe was relaxed and cheerful. Decked out in Halloween decorations and pumpkins, it gave off a very festive vibe. The porch, where we sat, is lined with Florida-native plants and along the Tampa city line. Max and I noticed when we arrived that there was a tree next to us growing fresh limes. If you are looking for some fresh air and a bit of downtown scenery, this is the place to be. 

Overall, The Attic was a wonderful experience and is spot to be when you need a little break from the office- I will definitely find myself here more often since it is right across the street from our office building. The waitstaff was cheerful and helpful, and the food doesn’t disappoint, whether you’re looking for breakfast or lunch. If you’re looking for a quick getaway from the office or just a nice, calm breakfast- The Attic is the place to be!

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Recover & Rebuild Program

tampa, covid restaurant relief

In lieu of the COVID-19 effect on restaurants and the hospitality industry not only in the nation, but worldwide, Winsight Media has created a community forum called “Recover & Rebuild”, offering businesses with resources and useful information in order to help open up their doors again in a safe and effective manner. There are many ways restaurants have been affected by the pandemic, here are some ways restaurants have been accommodating the situation.

Although some restrictions are being lifted nationwide, some states are still under strict guidelines and are being forced to adapt in order to follow these new rules. These regulations not only affect the restaurant operators, but also employees. 

Events 

The Recover & Rebuild program is offering a number of events/forums for businesses to attend in order to gain knowledge and insight on how to maintain business in the case of a crisis. One of these events is the Innovation in Foodservice Forum, a digital service exploring important innovations for these businesses as well as insights on what might be in store for them in the upcoming future. These forums include webinars like Delivering Sales-Generating Insights During the COVID-19 crisis, What Restaurant Operators Should Know about COVID-19, Think Global, Eat Local:  How Restaurant Tech Can Adapt to a Changing Landscape, and many more. They are also holding a Restaurant Recovery Summit launching on November 17th,  featuring 40+ expert restaurateur speakers and 25+ webinars. Registration for the summit is free to restaurant operators by signing up to learn more about solutions from sponsors. 

Building Community 

Not only are webinars and events being held, but Recover & Rebuild is helping to shape and bring together the restaurant community among this turmoil. A few ways they are doing so is through the creation of their facebook page, “Coronavirus in the Food & Beverage Industry”, their live blog for breaking news, information and updates on what’s happening in the National Restaurant Association, and hearing from operator peers through webinars. 

Resources 

Recover and Rebuild has also offered restaurant operators with information regarding a number of resources that they may need in order to get through these times. Some of these include the IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief, James Beard Foundation, the Paycheck Protection Program, and the National Restaurant Association with the status of restaurant operations by state. 

You can access these resources and sign up for these events at https://recoverandrebuild.winsightmedia.com/#events-section 

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How Restaurants Have Been Accommodating Guests During COVID-19 Reopenings

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!

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Spaces Available to You At Suites @ Madison

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.


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These Chains Have Filed for Bankruptcy or Liquidation in 2020 Following COVID-19.

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.

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Starting a Food Service Business without a Traditional Retail Restaurant Lease

Food Service Kitchens for Rent

Starting a business is not easy.  There is the question of capital, labor, taxes and location.  All of these things tend to make most people interested in starting a business strongly question whether or not they want to do it.

Multiply these factors by ten, and you have an idea of what it is like starting a restaurant.

The return on restaurant startups can be volatile, to say the least.  Once you take everything into consideration – labor, food cost, utilities and location, your dream restaurant concept can turn in to a paralyzing affair.

Location is one of the main things to consider.  Most young people enjoy the convenience of delivery and take out.  The best locations to start a restaurant that meets these needs are extraordinarily expensive.  Cheaper rents can be found in outlying, light industrial areas.  There is a tradeoff, however.  Potential patrons are unlikely to venture in to a decidedly “uncool” space.

There is a solution, though….the Ghost Kitchen.

This is not a place where pots and pans clang together for no reason, and people get a chill just walking inside of it.  Instead, it is a way for entrepreneurs looking to start a restaurant.

Ghost kitchens are like the AirBnB of the restaurant world.  Different entrepreneurs and franchise owners use a shared space to create dishes, serve customers and meet the needs of the delivery world, all without having to worry about paying a lease or exorbitant buildout costs.  A shared space, ghost kitchens can find and rent the space without the worry of meeting the high price of retail rent.

Another advantage of a ghost kitchen – they are not open to the public.  This means a significant savings in capital.  The only expenses are food, utilities, human resources and marketing.  Unlike the fixed costs of rent and retail space buildout, these aforementioned expenses are not fixed, and if you are not certain that the general public will be as crazy about your concept as you think they will, you are not committing in the long term.  You are able to have your cake and eat it too, by starting in a low overhead kitchen, but still able to test your concept.

Using services like Uber Eats, it gives the restaurateur time to learn valuable information about its customer base – what they like and don’t like, what their delivery times are and whether or not it is worth it to open a full customer centered stand alone.  When you work out the tweaks in your concept and food offerings, you can take the next step….signing a retail lease…when you are much more certain of its success.

Several large, metropolitan cities have successfully experimented with ghost kitchens, and the trend is certainly on the rise across the U.S.

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{Review} Noble Rice – Indeed

Noble Rice Review
KAMU – Grilled Duck with Cherry Asuki Gohan

Chef Eric Fralick and his partner in life and work, Adriana, have created a space in an intimate setting (at Platt and S. Blvd) where each evening a few lucky diners can feast with all their senses engaged. The design of both setting and food is a delicate balance of texture, color, taste and artistry all inspired by nature. With rough-hewn wood planks and exposed brick line the walls, soft suede covers the menu and carefully chosen vessels of wood, Asian-inspired china, rustic pottery, Plexiglas “ice pucks”, small wooden spoons, and other surprisingly creative serving pieces, Noble Rice delivers a beautiful and satisfying dining experience that is worth every dollar. You can see and taste the attention to detail with which each offering is created (without becoming precious) and this creates an amazing epicurean adventure.

Chef Fralick and his small, attentive staff afford every diner the opportunity to enjoy true Omakase (7 course chef-directed menu tasting) or Grand Tasting (15 courses) with an option for sake and wine pairings (the sake menu is extensive and impressive). Some of the best offerings beyond the traditional Nigiri, the menu, which changes frequently, include creative originals such as Oregon Maitake with Ramp Bleu and Leek Ash, Triple Black Ramen (with 18 hour house-made stock), and delightful creations such as pickled Kumamoto Oysters, Hokkaido Uni w/ caviar, Hokkaido Scallop (green curry vinaigrette and garlic chips), Purple Potato Gnocchi, and Foie gras Gelato! All served w/ house-made white and dark soy sauce along side bright pickled ginger and the best freshly made wasabi you’ll ever taste.

Tampa Fl - Shisho Leaf
SHISO LEAF TARTARE

The menu is rounded out with larger plates perfect for sharing such as King Salmon, Scallops, Duck and several grilled Wagyu offerings (my personal favorite is dressed in white truffle oil). Given the intimate space (which includes 4 prime seats at the Chef’s bar) reservations are recommended and you can find more information at www.noblericeco.com.

Umami thrives at Noble Rice.

E.G. Fendrick
11/06/2018