New Restaurant Curfew in New York

By Samantha Lindell

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Just a year ago, Orange Crate Brewery on Marshall Street was packed on a Wednesday night with SU students and Syracuse residents. Just a year later, Orange Crate is open at half capacity. The owner of Orange Crate, Raymond C Faigle, and SU student, Lucas Fox, were able to give their take on the opening of bars and loosening of restrictions.

Faigle relies heavily on Syracuse University to bring in a profit, and the restrictions of hours brought hardship on the family-run business. Lifting the restrictions on bars has been crucial for Faigle and other bar owners, alike.

Fox believes that one is at risk of getting COVID-19 if they are willing to go out in the first place, so though in the long run it could be bad for the community, it is important for small businesses to make enough money to stay alive.

Bars are allowed to stay open until 11 pm, compared to a previous 10 pm, which has been a game-changer for the Orange Crate Brewery. Faigle has implemented strategies, such as not allowing seating at the bar in order to enhance social distancing and to protect workers. He hopes that SU students and residents of Syracuse feel comfortable going in to dine and drink.