From Kathy Hollinger, President
It’s a new week and we just kicked off the second week of our
Summer Restaurant Week
promotion, which is garnering immense enthusiasm among diners and with media across the region. The outpouring of support from both audiences is so encouraging as so many people want to support restaurants in any and all ways they can.
We have updates for you about what is happening in our region this week.
First, as you likely know, the “Get Your Knee Off Our Necks” March on Washington, a civil rights rally, is scheduled for this Friday, August 28th in DC and is expected to bring thousands to the District. Speakers will begin to address the audience at 11 a.m. Friday, but the crowd is expected to begin gathering at the Lincoln Memorial and around the Reflecting Pool about 7 a.m. After three hours of addresses from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the crowd will begin its march to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in West Potomac Park. The event will conclude at about 3 p.m.
There will be street closures surrounding the demonstration and march route. The closures will be from Federal Triangle through the Jefferson Memorial to McPherson and Farragut Square. There is a possibility that the street closures will expand beyond this route. Nearly a dozen other protests are scheduled to take place on Friday around the main march. We are in contact with HSEMA regarding the demonstration, and will share any updates as they become available.
Click here for a map
and full listing of street closures.
Click here
for a Washington Post article about the march.
Mayor Bowser released an updated list of high risk states. Anyone coming into DC from a high-risk state who was traveling for non-essential activities will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in the District.
Click here for the updated list
, which includes Delaware again.
As we get ready for the colder months in DC, we want to make sure that your outdoor dining is able to make a smooth transition. We have been in conversation with DCRA, the Fire Department, and the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and Culture and want to share a few important updates. If you decide to use propane heaters for outdoor dining, you need a permit through the Fire Department and you can get it online. You will also need to submit a layout drawing with your application.
Click here
for the application to use propane heaters, and
click here
for instructions and guidelines. You do not need a permit for electric heaters. Neither types of heaters can be within 5 feet of the bottom of an enclosure or canopy or tent. If you have specific questions about heater options, please email
fems.fireprevention@dc.gov
.
We are also working with DCRA to discuss canopy options going into the colder months. At this time DCRA is only allowing canopies that are 10x10 or smaller without a permit. If you would like tents/canopies larger than 10x10, at this time, you must apply for a permit through DCRA. We will share more information about outdoor dining in the colder months as it becomes available, but please know we are proactively working on this to make sure the transition is easy, process is streamlined and potential relief is in place to allow for extension options for our businesses.
As some of you continue to express concerns related to food delivery apps, costs associated with or misrepresentation on the app, we want to share some information that was recently shared with us from DoorDash. DoorDash, is showcasing a small number of restaurants on their platform that are not under contract. These restaurants pay 0% commission and no other fees. Restaurants not under contract may find their menu on the DoorDash site, however, a restaurant’s logo is not used unless permission is granted. If you are not under contract and are showcased on their site and no longer want to be, you may request to have your restaurant taken down from DoorDash. Their response time is 24-48 hours; please
follow this link
to request prompt removal. If you are interested in partnering with DoorDash
click here
.
We understand the delicate nature of the relationship between restaurants and third party delivery, and this is an issue we are continuing to address and while we have worked with our elected officials in some jurisdictions to cap fees. We are also in conversation with many on a local and national level to explore long term relief and ways to support our restaurants at a time when delivery and take out services are needed.
As always, please contact us with any questions you may have by emailing
coronavirus@ramw.org
.
