Now, this particular organization does have some history in closing other seemingly successful business entities outside the pandemic. I wonder how much flexibility or the lack thereof in Cameron Village on rent / lease has to do with this particular decision? Also wonder if Haymaker will endure considering it seems to have even greater challenges in the current climate…
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Meh. The market will sort out everything that needs to be sorted out.
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Had a wonderful first Phase II outing at La Santa tonight. That place is officially my favorite Mexican in DTR. Gotta ask for the salsa picante, and extra limes. But seriously, the simplicity of the recipes there achieve phenomenal comfort Mexican. Whatever lard they cook into their beans…mAh gahd. The carnitas tacos tonight we’re 
- and @Francisco will approve that they were served on single-ply fresh corn tortilla that maintained pliability and did not fall apart through the last bite. They were busy, and it felt so great.
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This is great to hear. Love LaSanta. The owner has been a great neighbor to us.
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Article detailing the amendment to House Bill 536, allowing them to add another 50 percent, or up to 100 customers, whichever is less, at outdoor tables. In my opinion the outdoor dining requirements imposed downtown a few years ago were stupid from the beginning.
Also HB 902 allowing bars and similar private clubs that remain completely closed under Cooper’s executive order to sell beverages outside, whether on a patio or under a tent or awning. Let’s hope both amendments become permanent
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Well, kudos to Mr. Rick Gunn - Alamance for some logical thinking.
Here’s hoping he’s got some folks on both sides of the aisles seeing a path forward out of the fog.
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Power move. 
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How was the experience post-reopen at a restaurant. Do they separate tables out more, or block them off? Do the servers wear masks? I guess its not possible for patrons to wear masks or obviously couldn’t eat. That food looks delicious btw. What is your review of the margs?
Employees wearing masks at Manhattan Deli. Every other table is now open for indoor dining. The lunch crowd is still half of what it used to be. On a more positive note I did notice a lot of retail is now open (Apex Outfitters and all those shops in that area). Also, a slight uptick in the number of people out and about than has been around for two months.
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How quickly would this come into effect?
It’s unlikely
"The bipartisan vote was 42-5, and the measure now goes to the House, which could approve it on a single floor vote Thursday afternoon.
It would then go to Cooper. He’s unlikely to sign anything that would restrict his or a future governor’s emergency powers, but it could put pressure on him to amend his executive order."
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Restaurant employee here. At my place of employment we have about a third of our tables open (to allow for at least six feet between different tables) and have removed all salt/pepper shakers, ads, and other things from the tables unless patrons request them. All employees are wearing masks and gloves, washing hands frequently, and cleaning and sanitizing surfaces regularly. We’re supposed to wash our uniforms each day if possible. We limited our menu as well, and the restaurant closes an hour early each night. Patrons aren’t allowed to wait inside the restaurant for a table, so if it gets busy we send someone out into the parking lot to put people’s names and phone numbers on the waitlist (so that we can page by text rather than using pagers). Servers are also promoting contactless payment over the restaurant app (I work for a national chain).
Takeout/delivery is still probably receiving most of our business, but folks are definitely ready to come back into the restaurant. It’s a strange system to get used to but it looks like it’ll be the new norm for awhile.
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I’ll post this again bc I had no takers the first time, but it seems obvious that as we return people are going to be a lot more confidence in going to places that have large, spacious outdoor seating options. The bad news is, for most of Raleigh and certainly the Person St. district, aside from the Station and Person St Bar, these establishments have very little outdoor seating.
I’m wondering how we would get the ball rolling on something like this over on Person St. Blocking off a portion of Pace (probably not as far as I have in the mockup since you wouldn’t want to block in the resident behind Pelagic) and kind of pressure Hobby Properties to open up their parking lot to outdoor seating and have cars park in their vacant lot across the street ( I know it would cost them liability insurance, but maybe PSP could jump in financially and help out temporarily)
Would like to hear some thoughts on this and why or why not it may be feasible.
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I hate that empty lot at the old Retro Fitness and welcome any productive use of that space. Would be neat to see the current parking in front of the active shopping center become outdoor tables and so on.
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Love it. I’ll add that I’d love to see the parking at Person St Plaza become pedestrian seating permanently. Maybe have makers markets/farmers markets in tents on weekends.
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Why would that be unlikely? I assume if he doesn’t sign it, they’ll override his veto. I haven’t seen a House vote yet, but the Senate seems to have the numbers.
Edit so the Senate vote was 42-5, while the House vote was 65-53. Cooper criticized the bill today so I doubt he’s gonna sign it. Doesn’t look like the House could override it.
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Everyone working was wearing masks, and they had every other table blocked off. We felt perfectly comfortable sitting outside.
For ten bucks I like their house Margarita which comes in a tall glass unlike many restaurants that charge that much for a short glass. They use lunazul Blanco and fresh juice. I could have used a little more salt and a little more lime, but that might just be because I am a little too obsessed with salt and lime. 
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Who can get the ball rolling on at least having real discussions about it, talking to the city, talking to near by businesses and understanding pros and cons.?
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Did you just volunteer yourself? 
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I for sure will but who makes that decision and wouldn’t it be more likely to succeed if Person St Partnership were spearheading it?