There is so much I could write here about Revival (and Liza)(and Nookie), but for now I just want to callout they way in which they repurposed and beautified their patio for pick-up and proper queueing with the help of their favorite local muralist, Chloe Rubenstein.
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We’re at the point where the novelty of getting takeout has worn off, people are antsy to get outside, and everyone’s more than a little anxious about what the future holds. It’s also fair to say that when it comes to takeout, particularly from finer dining establishments, people are expecting more. It’s not always clear what more precisely, but more.
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And here at Graffito we’ve all embraced a strategy of not bull-shitting each other or our clients. And I guess being a realist right now just feels and looks a lot like being a pessimist.
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Something that has been bothering me for months is the phrase “social distancing.” Why? Because it’s a misnomer. Nobody wants to encourage social distancing; what we actually want is spatial distance.
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When I started purchasing gift cards, I briefly wondered what would happen if the place I’m buying from never reopens. Even if the restaurant reopens, when will it be ok for us to use these gift cards?
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It’s anyone’s guess when sales return to pre COVID-19 levels, and even when they do, is it possible to carry the added rent burden in future years by just kicking the can down the road?
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The efforts of Bagelsaurus – whether intentionally or not – is cultivating even deeper brand loyalty. It’s probably stating the obvious here, but the net result of people who are buying gift cards and swag and who have put forth above average efforts in trying to support restaurants are going to come out of this extreme loyalists whether they realize it or not.
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Retailers along the first blocks of Newbury and in Copley Place Mall rely heavily on Boston tourism and students to generate sales. Unfortunately, both tourism and the student population will be minimal for the duration of the short term. When it does return, it is still uncertain that consumers will be in a monetary and emotional position to make large purchases from these retailers.
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Today, unlike in March, it is safe to say with certainty that COVID-19 has touched all businesses selling anything to the public, whether online in or in-person. Every single retailer in the past two months we have spoke to — and we are talking to a lot of retailers — is thinking about changing their business model in some way. The scale of the collective rethink in retail is just nuts.
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Some chefs and owners have decided to remain “open,” providing takeout and other essential services to Boston diners. Recently on his website, Brian began sharing his ongoing project, Covid-19 Portrait Project, which features local chefs and owners while they are making the best of a very difficult scenario.
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