Newton Restaurant Owners Hope Curfew Lift Signals Turnaround

NEWTON, MA — Beginning Jan. 25, businesses across the state, including in Newton, will no longer have to close by 9:30 p.m., as the number of people who test positive for the coronavirus and hospitalizations trend in a hopeful direction, Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday.

Newton restaurant owners say they hope this signals a turnaround for their businesses.

"The big hope right now is that it creates more comfort for people to come in and see that we're stepping in the right direction and know that things are getting better and hopefully feel safe to come through the front door right now," owner of O'Hara's Food & Spirits Patrick O'Hara said.

Although the curfew will officially be lifted soon, O'Hara said he's not sure his restaurant will change the kitchen hours just yet.

"We will have to see where demand takes us," he said. "If we're paying people to be in the building we need to make sure its worth our while."

O'Hara's, like many Newton restaurants, has pivoted to mostly take-out amid the pandemic.And it's thanks to loyal customers that they've survived.

Other Newton restaurants agree.

"We’ve switched to takeout only, so this really doesn’t affect us," Farmstead Table Restaurant owner Sharon Urns said. "We’re just trying to wait it out, hoping for some funding," she said. "But for day to day we can get by for a while longer because of takeout."

She said the restaurant is grateful for repeat customers and those who are giving generous tips. "It’s all going to people really need it," she said.

For take out businesses, what could really make a difference Urns said, was if the state could put a cap on the amount third-party delivery businesses could charge. Many charge up to 30 percent of a sale.

Director of Government Affairs for the Massachusetts Restaurant Association Steve Clark said for restaurants who still depended on in-house seating, this could begin to help.

"The 9:30 curfew was preventing restaurants from having the ability to get a '2nd seating,' which is a significant source of business, especially on Thursday, Friday and Saturday," Clark said. "I know there are a number of places that were forced to lay off staff, as a result of the 9:30 curfew. This is a welcome change, and we look forward to the continued easing of restrictions."

In addition to lifted restrictions for restaurants, the governor announced lifted restrictions for health clubs, arcades, indoor and outdoor events, movie theaters, liquor stores and cannabis shops. However, the 25 percent capacity limit on most businesses will continue until at least Feb. 8.

“We believe that it’s time and OK to start a gradual easing of restrictions,” Baker said at a Thursday news conference announcing a new round of small business grants.

While COVID-19 numbers have improved in the past couple weeks, they are still significantly higher than when the stay-at-home advisory was instituted in the late fall. State health officials on Wednesday announced 3,987 new cases and 78 more deaths. There were 2,209 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, with 444 in intensive care.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.