The hits for Boston’s already ailing restaurant industry keep coming back. Two more restaurants suddenly had to close, including a popular Irish pub in the Government Center. A sign in front of the Kinsale announces the sad news: The Irish pub is closing after more than 22 years because it is “unable to be” viable business during the pandemic. “Kinsale is not alone. The Stoddard is now permanently closed in Downtown Crossing.” Our core business came from the working clientele in the Downtown Crossing area, it came from the theaters – you know the theaters are completely closed, “said Ace Gershfield. Co-owner of The Stoddard says. With the business drying up and no outdoor space, the owners said little could be done. “You are trying to negotiate with your landlords and our landlord hasn’t played,” Gershfield told According to Bob Luz of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association have permanently closed 23% of Massachusetts operations. “Restaurants are still in dire need of federal government assistance, and unless we get another shot here.” You will see a lot more restaurants before the end of the year, who cannot get to the other side, “said Luz. Meanwhile, some larger restaurant groups are innovating in order to survive. Ned Devine is in Faneuil Hall is she is considering pitching a tent over tables in her outdoor area and she is re-using the venue upstairs. “Since we can’t have live bands inside, we decided to change the business model and bring in a partner and make us an indoor beer garden,” said Todd Bennett, operations manager at Briar Group.
BOSTON –
The hits for Boston’s already ailing restaurant industry keep coming back. Two more restaurants suddenly had to close, including a popular Irish pub in the Government Center.
A sign in front of the Kinsale announces the sad news: The Irish pub is closing after more than 22 years because it “cannot be a viable business during the pandemic”.
Kinsale is not alone. The Stoddard is now permanently closed in Downtown Crossing.
“Our core business came from the working crowd in downtown Crossing, it came from the theaters – you know the theaters are completely closed,” said Ace Gershfield, co-owner of The Stoddard.
With business drying up and no outdoor space, the owners said little could be done.
“You are trying to negotiate with your landlord and our landlord hasn’t played,” said Gershfield.
That is the problem many restaurants across the state are facing. Massachusetts Restaurant Association’s Bob Luz says 23% of Massachusetts establishments have closed permanently.
“Restaurants are still in dire need of help from the federal government, and if we don’t get another shot in the arm here before the end of the year, you will see a lot more restaurants unable to get to the other side,” Luz said.
Meanwhile, some larger restaurant groups are innovating in order to survive. Ned Devines at Faneuil Hall is considering pitching a tent over tables in their outdoor area, and they use the indoor venue upstairs.
“Due to the fact that we can’t have live bands, we decided to change the business model and bring in a partner to make a beer garden with us,” said Todd Bennett, Director of Operations for the Briar Group.
