Restaurants and coronavirus: closures, staff cuts, and reduced hours (starting with the Central Market)
Restaurants and coronavirus: the first establishments are starting to close. The dramatic crisis facing the restaurant industry is beginning to be felt, and it couldn't be otherwise with the new decree.
Among the hardest hit is the Mercato Centrale (Turin, Florence, and Rome), which, due to its characteristics—that of a place always crowded and chaotic—is suffering the crisis more than others. As explained in this article in Repubblica, customer numbers have dropped by 30 to 70 percent. The first measure is its early closing at 10:00 PM, instead of 11:00 PM. At this point, the opening dates of the new Mercato Centrale in Milan are uncertain.
According to a report in La Stampa, Convivio in Rome is struggling and is considering what to do. It had to close on Friday due to cancellations. As chef Angelo Troiani explained: "At this point, we're closing for tonight. I have ten employees; there's no point in keeping them here without work. I'm sending them home for today."
All events and presentations have been canceled. The Café on Via Santa Maria in Via is closed. Le Tamerici on Via del Tritone has significantly shortened its opening hours. Rimessa Roscioli, as we reported here, is trying to resist and, bucking the trend, has decided to reopen at noon. Others are also trying to extend their opening hours to maximize revenue: such as Tipografia Alimentare in Milan, which will also be open on Tuesdays, its usual closing day.
Faro, a specialty coffee shop, is reducing its hours to 8-5. We've already mentioned Sonia Hang Zhou. Enoteca Ferrara in Rome is offering takeout and a free bottle of wine. Seu Pizza Illuminati is also offering takeout, which will be available from 7-11 p.m.
But this is only the beginning. Dark times are coming, and the signs of this will be felt for a long time to come.
