CT Restaurants: 'Our Industry Is On The Verge Of Collapse'

CONNECTICUT — The Connecticut Restaurant Association on Tuesday implored Gov. Ned Lamont to keep indoor dining open, create a new grant program for the industry and help bolster consumer confidence amid the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 600 restaurants, caterers and private event venues have already closed over the past eight months, according to restaurant association Executive Director Scott Dolch, who added more will fail without help from the state.

"To be clear, our industry is on the verge of collapse," Dolch wrote in a letter to Lamont dated Tuesday. "Without your commitment and real support, thousands of restaurants across Connecticut will be forced to close — and the vast majority of them will never reopen."

Dolch wants the state to continue to allow indoor dining in restaurants. As coronavirus cases and infection rates continue to climb, some municipalities have ramped up restaurant restrictions. Lamont has said he is watching the numbers closely and that "nothing is off the table."

A group of doctors recently wrote a letter to Lamont asking him to close indoor dining as one facet of shutting down the state, claiming hospitals are being stretched thin amid a second wave of infections.

The restaurant association also wants the creation of a new grant program, similar to programs launched in the District of Columbia, New Jersey, Maryland, Rhode Island and Ohio, that "would send a lifeline to thousands of local businesses struggling to remain open right now." Dolch proposed that the state pay for the grants with money he says remains unallocated from the CARES Act stimulus bill.

"Even if CARES Act Funds might not be an option, we know the administration has brought up the Rainy Day Funding as a potential option to help these small businesses," Dolch wrote.

Finally, the CRA requested that Connecticut leaders help support them by highlighting the efforts restaurants are making to stay safe, "and reminding the public — and one another — that local restaurants are predominantly small businesses owned by and employing local community members."

The letter can be read here. The #SaveCTRestaurants hashtag will be used on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram in the weeks ahead to promote the restaurant association's campaign.