COVID could kill 1/5 of restaurants this winter

Restaurants in Michigan, already hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, are bracing for what is expected to be a harsh winter.

According to an article on Bridge Michigan, as many as 4,000 restaurants in the state are worried they may not be able to stay open once the winter comes and outdoor seating becomes impractical.

The number comes from a survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association that showed 23% of Michigan eateries were fighting for survival. That’s an increase over a previous survey that showed just 4% of restaurants experiencing such uncertainty in April.

The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) is petitioning the state to pass several measures to help struggling restaurants. Those measures include expanding indoor seating capacity and allowing restaurants to “winterize” outdoor seating areas to allow continued use of those spaces.

“This industry is in dire need of support and help,” said Justin Winslow, the CEO of the MRLA. “We’re looking at what we can do to collaborate and get that done.”

You can read the full story here.