Restaurants Head into New Year of Uncertainty
The omicron variant remains a threat to the long-term recovery of Greater Boston’s many restaurants, forcing owners to implement novel and unconventional methods in order to stay open.
Supply, Labor Strains Squeeze Restaurants, Supermarkets
Restaurant and grocery leaders in Massachusetts say they continue to struggle under the combined pressures of inflation, low stock and labor shortages.
Despite Supply Issues, Holiday Sales Rise 8.5 Percent
Holiday sales rose at the fastest pace in 17 years, even as shoppers grappled with higher prices, product shortages and a raging new COVID-19 variant in the last few weeks of the season.
Multifamily Projects Face Street-Level Dilemma
Unoccupied storefronts and expansive lobbies in newer multifamily and mixed-use projects frequently stay lifeless for months or years after occupancy. But what if there was a better way to handle multifamily buildings’ ground floors?
Boston-Area Restaurants, Gyms Face Vaccine Requirements
With a new surge in COVID-19 cases threatening to strain hospital capacity and harm the city’s economy, patrons and employees at restaurants, bars, theaters and gyms will have to show proof of vaccination.
Wayfair Plans Three Massachusetts Stores
Boston-based online home furnishings giant Wayfair will test its brick-and-mortar expansion at three Bay State retail properties in 2022.
Legislators Weigh Changes to Outdoor Dining
Mindful that some of the changes that businesses made to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic could be here to stay, legislators are planning to continue a series of roundtables with restaurant and business owners later this month.
Hot Property: The Clarion
Shawmut Design and Construction completed the fitout of the Future Chefs youth empowerment and culinary training program at The Clarion.
Burton’s Expanding to Marketplace Lynnfield in November
Burton’s Grill & Bar will open its 17th location in November at Marketstreet Lynnfield amid a wave of tenant arrivals at the 658,000-square-foot lifestyle center.
Baker Exploring Vaccine Verification Options
Gov. Charlie Baker he stopped just short of saying that some kind of vaccination verification system – sometimes called a “vaccine passport” – will be coming to Massachusetts in a radio interview Thursday.
Pop-Up Restaurants May Stick Around as COVID Sees Resurgence
Pop-up restaurants, many started as stopgap measures by struggling chefs and owners, may have staying power as consumers continue to embrace takeout and delivery and the delta variant threatens to make dining in less of an option.
Boston to Again Require Masks Indoors
Everyone ages 2 and older regardless of vaccination status will be required to wear a mask in all indoor public settings in Boston starting this week, Mayor Kim Janey announced Friday, linking the revived mandate to the impending school year and spread of the Delta variant.
Speaker Open To Happy Hour Talks
Speaker Ronald Mariano said Thursday that he is open to discussing a reversal of the state’s ban on happy hour drink promotions, but he stopped short of either supporting or opposing the idea.
Korean Chicken, Starbucks Coming to New Malden Developments
A Korean fried chicken chain and a Starbucks cafe will become the newest additions to Malden Center’s retail scene.
Mass. Restaurant Sales Back to 2019 Levels
Restaurant sales in Massachusetts have increased sharply since early April and surpassed their comparable 2019 levels even before most COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
Janey: Outdoor Dining Should Stay ‘at a Bare Minimum’
With Beacon Hill beginning to consider what from the pandemic should stay, Boston Mayor Kim Janey said Tuesday that outdoor dining was not only a “lifeline” for restaurants in the city, but something that diners thoroughly enjoyed.
Shoppers Go Back to Stores, but Retailers Face Challenges
With more people getting vaccinated and dropping their face masks, retailers from Walmart to Macy’s are seeing an eager return to their stores after more than a year of their customers migrating online during the pandemic.
Restaurant Foot Traffic on the Rise
Foot traffic to food and beverage establishments in the Greater Boston region is up more than 42.5 percent since the beginning of the year and analysts say they see plenty more growth on the horizon.
Real Estate Impacted by Looming Issues Tied to Emergency’s End
Gov. Charlie Baker and state lawmakers face a raft of loose ends they must tie up as the state’s COVID-19 emergency declaration is set to lapse June 15.
Foot Traffic Up as Downtown Boston Reopens
The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District’s pedestrian-traffic sensors have clocked a 95 percent increase in foot traffic since December 2020.
