Waltham Restaurant Owners Hope End Of Curfew Signals Turnaround

WALTHAM, MA — Restaurants across the state, including in Waltham, will be able to stay open beyond 9:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 25 because the number of positive test cases, positive test rates and coronavirus hospitalizations are “all trending in the right direction," Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday.

Waltham restaurant owners say they hope the lifting of the curfew for businesses signals a turnaround, and will help build confidence among would-be restaurant goers.

"It signals hope," said Hayden Bluhm, general manager of Brelundi Cafe. "It signals hope that we are making it through this. There's a light at the end of the tunnel, and we're just about there."

Bluhm said although the lifting of the curfew doesn't immediately impact Brelundi, which is more of an early restaurant with a loyal base of repeat customers.

The restaurant has had to pivot amid the pandemic, reducing hours and staying closed on both Monday and Tuesdays.

"At this point it's not about profit, it's about minimizing loss," he said, adding "We are very fortunate with our customer base, very fortunate that are doors are still open."

Other restaurant owners said when the city allowed them to expand seating capacity beyond 25 percent, that would help them.

"As these regulations lift, there are people who will be very happy to get out and go to restaurants and feel a little sense of normalcy after this chaos," Bluhm said.

Beyond Waltham, relief

Director of Government Affairs for the Massachusetts Restaurant Association Steve Clark said the Tavern is not alone in feeling a weight beginning to lift.

"The 9:30 curfew was preventing restaurants from having the ability to get a '2nd seating,' which is a significant source of business, especially on Thursday, Friday and Saturday," Clark said. "I know there are a number of places that were forced to lay off staff, as a result of the 9:30 curfew. This is a welcome change, and we look forward to the continued easing of restrictions."

In addition to lifted restrictions for restaurants, the governor announced lifted restrictions for health clubs, arcades, indoor and outdoor events, movie theaters, liquor stores and cannabis shops. However, the 25 percent capacity limit on most businesses will continue until at least Feb. 8.

“We believe that it’s time and OK to start a gradual easing of restrictions,” Baker said at a Thursday news conference announcing a new round of small business grants.

While COVID-19 numbers have improved in the past couple weeks, they are still significantly higher than when the stay-at-home advisory was instituted in the late fall. State health officials on Wednesday announced 3,987 new cases and 78 more deaths. There were 2,209 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, with 444 in intensive care.

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