Salem Restaurant 'Map' Aims To Boost Small Businesses

SALEM, MA —As many Salem restaurants do their best to push through a winter with limited outdoor dining options and indoor seating capacity restrictions because of the coronavirus health crisis, residents have a chance to help boost their business through recommendations for favorite dishes and go-to spots.

A new online map will allow is designed to "remind diners of the many restaurant options that are available this winter."

The Salem Economic Development Recovery and Revitalization Task Force created the tool in conjunction with the city.

"As we continue our efforts to support the vibrancy and success of our local businesses during this pandemic, we wanted to make it easy for folks to share their favorite take-out options at Salem's dozens of restaurants," said Mayor Kim Driscoll, who convened the Economic Recovery Task Force in the spring of 2020. "We've provided grants, technical assistance, equipment and labor to set up outdoor dining spaces, and free (personal protection equipment) to our local business community, but word of mouth is one of the best ways to get new patrons, so we've created a new online tool to help generate that."

Gov. Charlie Baker's two-week extension of statewide 25 percent capacity restrictions is set to expire on Monday. North Shore leaders from nine communities, including Salem, earlier this month met to discuss issuing regional restrictions.

They ultimately deferred additional restrictions, but said in a statement they may "restrict unnecessary indoor activities" if virus cases in Essex County continue to rise.

Diners can view the map and click on a spot to call up the restaurant's website, contact information, hours and more. The city said residents are strongly encouraged to order take-out or delivery directly from the restaurant itself "to help the business save on expensive third-party delivery fees and charges."

The map will also be lined on the Destination Salem App for iPhone and Android.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)