Coronavirus Updates/Strategies for Downtown Huntsville Area Food, Beverage and Retail Establishments

In light of the ongoing changes and restrictions, we have compiled the following information sheet for Downtown Huntsville area food, beverage, and retail establishments (“Downtown Establishments”) to consider as they address food and beverage service during the COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”) disruptions. Please note that this information represents only general planning concepts rather than any formal guidelines or instructions. Downtown Establishments should continue to monitor official Federal, State, and Local Coronavirus resources for official information.

We also recommend that you review this coronavirus-specific information from the National Restaurant Association and from ServSafe.


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Updates for Downtown Huntsville Area Small Businesses (Please note that we are limiting future updates to when relevant information arises)

UPDATE 6/2/20

Several informative articles to consider:

  1. Return policies have changed and are changing for many retailers. As you evaluate your policies, this Kiplinger article outlines potential modifications.

  2. Eater.com takes a deep dive into the safety of restaurant dining with some thoughtful insights from this publication that is often at the forefront of the food and beverage conversation.

  3. The National Retail Federation has posted a thorough coronavirus resource section on their website. If you are a retailer, you should consider review this section for best practices and strategic ideas.

UPDATE 5/28/20

Today’s Thursday edition of the Daily Three is ready to roll:

  1. The U.S. House has passed (almost unanimously and across party lines) updates to the PPP program designed to make it more effective for small businesses. The U.S. Senate still has to pass but that would appear quite likely based on the bi-partisan support. The National Restaurant Association has posted this helpful comparison of the previous and new proposed versions of the PPP—definitely worth a read if you have PPP funding.

  2. Huntsville Hospital is prepared to provide testing for business employees if another employee tests positive. Here is more information on how to obtain these tests which, since they are locally-processed, can get results back expeditiously.

  3. This National Restaurant News article provides a good overview of how reservation systems are changing as a result of the pandemic. Some insightful ideas in the article that you should carefully consider if you take reservations.

UPDATE 5/27/20

Just a quick update. Effective June 1, the Daily Three will transition to a Monday and Thursday posting schedule going forward. We will of course post additional updates as news happens.

UPDATE 5/22/20

The Alabama Department of Public Health has updated the safer at home order to allow additional businesses to open subject to social-distancing restrictions.

  1. Here’s the full updated order.

  2. Here is a helpful summary document.

UPDATE 5/21/20

Today’s Thursday edition of the Daily Three is employer/employee focused so let’s get straight to it:

  1. What if an employee tests positive for Covid-19? Currently, there are not mandatory regulations affecting Huntsville establishments and how you must respond. The CDC has issued helpful guidance though. You can read it here.

  2. The Society of Human Resource Managers also has posted a thorough “Q&A” related to employer/employee issues that may arise as a result of the pandemic. We encourage you to review it here.

  3. What if you call an employee back to work and they refuse? This would trigger certain unemployment and PPP situations. This article does a nice job discussing the topic in general terms.

UPDATE 5/19/20

Welcome to Tuesday! Here’s your Daily Three:

  1. If you are interested in utilizing the temporary ABC regulations allowing the expansion of patio service and your patio is located in a City right-of-way, please contact Thomas Nunez at the City’s Planning department to begin the process: Thomas.nunez@huntsvilleal.gov

  2. For our Downtown area women’s and men’s hair-cutting establishments, this USA Today article provides some informative ideas.

  3. Here’s what one of the world’s largest restaurant chains is doing to implement social-distancing and safety protocols as they re-open their dining rooms. Some helpful ideas for certain.

UPDATE 5/15/20

Hello Friday! It’s shaping up to be a beautiful weekend in Downtown Huntsville so let’s keep the social distancing requirements in my mind as we enjoy the Rocket City Center. Our individual successes lead to our collective success! Now, on to the Daily Three…

  1. The Alabama ABC Board has authorized temporary expansions to the patio spaces for alcohol-licensed establishments. This would allow you to serve alcohol on a temporarily-expanded patio space subject to the requirements. This could really be useful to please read the details here and reach out to chad@downtownhuntsville.org if you would like discuss potentially implementing this.

  2. The American Institute of CPAs has posted very informative and useful resources related to the PPP in particular. You can read them here. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the PPP even if you are not a CPA.

  3. Here’s a recent al.com article on outdoor dining that we participated in. Let’s keep growing our outdoor dining spaces whenever possible to encourage social distance dining.

UPDATE 5/14/20

Welcome to Thursday and your Daily Three:

  1. Here’s an example of a restaurant action plan from a large, international restaurant group. We’re not saying we endorse or encourage all of these measures but, if you are a restaurant operator, this is definitely worth reviewing for ideas.

  2. DHI Member Warren Averett has posted an informative article on a new borrower “safe harbor” provision for PPP borrowers with an emphasis on smaller businesses. You can read it here.

  3. We’ve started another Running List on the DHI Explorer blog for re-opened Downtown area establishments. If you need to add or update your information, please email autumn@downtownhuntsville.org.

UPDATE 5/12/20

It’s Tuesday and we’ve lined up another Daily Three for you. As a reminder, we only post a Daily Three when we find content that we think would be really helpful. There is so much information out there that we’ll avoid posting for postings sake. So, with that caveat, let’s see the next Daily Three:

  1. DHI Member Lanier Ford has posted another excellent blog article—this time focusing on how to reduce potential liability when engaging in re-opening activities. You can read it here.

  2. We have a great Community Foundation in the Greater Huntsville area. They provide lots of useful resources including this guide to potential grant opportunities for entrepreneurs and non-profits.

  3. A thoughtful NYT article on issues and challenges related to re-opening your restaurant as restrictions are reduced. Grab a cup of coffee and have a read.

UPDATE 5/8/20

Fast-moving news this Friday regarding reduced restrictions. We will be hosting a conference call for any interested food, beverage, or retailer. Please email karla@downtownhuntsville.org to get an invite.

  1. The Governor’s order effective May 11th. Please carefully review this asap. We will discuss in detail during today’s 1pm conference call.

  2. Info sheet summary of the May 11 changes from the Governor’s office.

  3. This is very important: Guidelines for Restaurants and Bars from the Alabama Department of Public Health. Please read these in full prior to re-opening on or after May 11th for on-premises consumption.

UPDATE 5/6/20

Welcome to Wednesday! It’s time for the Daily Three:

  1. DHI Member Maynard Cooper has posted an informative new blog focusing on changes to the PPP as it relates to what expenses might not be deductible. You can read it here.

  2. Here’s a WAAY news story following the first weekend of re-opened retail in Downtown Huntsville. Great feedback from several Downtown business operators.

  3. Please make sure your furloughed or laid off Downtown employees know that they still can join the Honeysuckle Removal Project on Monte Sano Mountain and get paid weekly $10 per hour up to 40 hours per week. A great way to make money, enjoy the beautiful outdoors, and improve Monte Sano Mountain. Learn more here.

UPDATE 5/4/20

Hello Monday! This week’s first Daily Three can be found below:

  1. The Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association has updated FAQs on the PPP including how to address and document the issue of employees being offered—but not accepting—an offer of re-hire. Check it out here.

  2. How about some good news? Atlanta Magazine recently featured Downtown Huntsville and other Rocket City destinations in great article you can read here.

  3. Here’s an idea to grow outdoor dining capacity while still keeping social distance spacing. Ask your landlord or the City (we can help make the ask) if you want to consider something like this.

UPDATE 5/1/20

Welcome to May! Your first Daily Three of the month is right below:

  1. The application process is now open for the Alabama State Council on the Arts emergency grant program. You can apply here. Application deadline is May 15th so, if you are an eligible organization (eligibility details can be found at the above link) we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

  2. The Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association and the SBDC have posted an informative webcast regarding how to maximize your PPP funds. You can access it here.

  3. We listened to this podcast for the NYT The Daily and it was really thoughtful. If you are looking for a podcast discussing what the pandemic recovery could look like, we recommend this one.

UPDATE 4/30/20

Hello Thursday! Here’s your Daily Three:

  1. This is a really informative article on the costs and challenges of re-opening a restaurant. Pay special attention to the social distancing layout diagram in the article. Very helpful in our opinion.

  2. Even when regulations allow restaurants to restart in-restaurant dining, some choose not to start right away. This and this are examples.

  3. Re-opening guidance from the National Restaurant Association

UPDATE 4/29/20

Welcome to Wednesday! Today’s Daily Three is straight ahead…

  1. The US Chamber of Commerce has posted an informative overview of OSHA-related coronavirus information. Customer well-being is critical as well as employee well-being.

  2. Interesting idea. Don’t be surprised to see the concept considered on a local level here in the Rocket City Center.

  3. Do you use Square for customer payments? If so, they’ve posted some helpful information about the PPP program. There is still time to apply if you haven’t already!

UPDATE 4/28/20

Today’s Daily Three is actually a Daily Two focusing on the new Safer At Home order issued today by the Governor that will be effective April 30 at 5pm:

  1. The actual new Safer At Home order

  2. An diagram version of the order provided by the State

UPDATE 4/24/20

It’s time for the Friday version of the Daily Three. Today, we’re focusing on re-opening guidelines.

  1. OSHA has posted thorough and useful re-opening guidance as it relates to employee safety. The heart of the document’s recommendations begins on Page 9.

  2. For our salons, barbers, and similar businesses, the State of Georgia has implemented these regulations for your similar businesses there. While Alabama may end up adopting different regulations, these provide strong guidance into what to expect especially in terms of employee/client close-space interactions.

  3. DHI Member Warren Averett has posted helpful guidance on how the PPP’s forgiveness provisions operate. Definitely worth a read because there are some very technical requirements after you get the funds and how you use them.

UPDATE 4/23/20

Happy Thursday everyone! Let’s get straight to your Daily Three:

  1. The Facebook small business grant program is now open. Please apply as soon as possible. The program prioritizes communities with a Facebook presence which is exactly what the Huntsville area has with our Facebook data center. Here’s the link!

  2. Congress has added more funding to the Cares Act including additional PPP and EIDL funding. The US Chamber of Commerce has a good summary of the expanded act. You can read it here. If you haven’t applied for PPP and/or EIDL and you plan to do so—please do so asap!

  3. Here’s a really useful article from Eater.com for our coffee-centric establishments. Definitely worth the quick read.

UPDATE 4/22/20.

Hi there Wednesday! Challenging times but we remain #onehuntsville in these challenges. Here’s your Wednesday Daily Three:

  1. We are focusing on our restaurant and retail colleagues in this situation but we know that our commercial office colleagues are also experiencing a unique situation. We thought this commercial office article was definitely worth reading.

  2. The National Restaurant Association has released a very thoughtful Blueprint for Re-Opening strategy. We really encourage you to read it and consider how it could apply to your Downtown Huntsville establishment.

  3. We’re excited to confirm that Harrison Diamond with the City of Huntsville will participate on our Thursday:9AM call to share new details on the Facebook small business grant program whose emphasis is on Facebook communities like ours.

UPDATE 4/20/20

Good Monday morning! Your Daily Three is waiting below:

  1. Important note: The Lt. Governor-led task force released recommendations last week for a gradual reduction in facility access restrictions. However, those recommendations were just that—recommendations. Current restrictions under the emergency order remain in place until the Governor and ADPH change them otherwise. In the meantime, here is the task force’s Restaurant recommendations.

  2. The Chamber has released a new website that focuses on gift cards and other revenue opportunities for area businesses. You can add your business for FREE. Check out Get Your Gift On here.

  3. Good information for our lodging businesses regarding the pandemic’s potential effects on lodging in the short and mid term. Read the article here.

UPDATE 4/16/20

Happy Thursday everyone! Here’s your Daily Three:

  1. ServSafe has new (and free) coronavirus-related on-line resources right here. Lots of useful information!

  2. The National Restaurant Association has posted an important survey whose responses can really help provide guidance on advocating for restaurants. Please consider spending a few minutes responding. It could really help advocate for food and beverage operators. The survey link is here.

  3. Quick read whose article title speaks for itself: “How restaurant chains are catering to families, kids during the coronavirus pandemic”

UPDATE 4/15/20

Welcome to Wednesday April 15th! Your Daily Three are directly below:

  1. Want to provide facemasks for your employees but can’t find them or don’t have the funds to do so? Consider making your own for them…or maybe get everyone together for a team-building opportunity and make masks together. Here’s an easy way to do from the CDC.

  2. The National Recreation and Park Association has some useful recommendations for practicing safe distancing while using public spaces and parks. Keeping physically fit is important to the body and mind!

  3. You should definitely consider reading this article: “13 Things That Could Change for Restaurants After COVID-19”

UPDATE 4/13/20

Happy Monday the 13th! Your Daily Three is directly below:

  1. Communicating well with your customers is more important than ever. That’s why this FREE webinar from the SBDC team at UAH featuring local marketing firm Flourish is worth checking. You’ll get helpful advice and you’ll get that helpful advice for free!

  2. Here’s another FREE webinar resource for Alabama small businesses. It starts today and is being organized by gener8tor. Learn more at the link above. Here’s the general description: “gener8tor is hosting emergency, one-week virtual programs for all small businesses, nonprofits, startups, freelancers and artists affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

    These programs will feature daily webinars designed to identify, understand and help small businesses secure resources to withstand the current crisis. One-on-one consultations will also be available for participants to ask specific questions about various federal, state, local and private programs (loans/grants/deferrals/law changes).”

  3. DHI released a new video on Easter Sunday. We hope it offers you just a small bit of inspiration and comfort in the challenging times. You can check it out here.

UPDATE 4/12/20

Happy (rainy) Sunday! Your Daily Three is directly below. Fill up that mug of coffee and hopefully read some helpful content:

  1. If accurate, this al.com article suggests that the economic impact, while devastating for some many, could hopefully be less devastating for Alabama.

  2. A very useful summary of grant/funding/financial opportunities for the out of home dining and hospitality industry from our friends at the CVB.

  3. On a thoughtful day in a thoughtful season like this spring, this compelling conversation in the New York Times Magazine really provoked our thoughts. Agree/disagree/somewhere in between, the complicated conversation continues. This is what makes Huntsville very special: our ability to discuss complicated things in a collaborative way.

UPDATE 4/10/20

Hello there Friday! Let’s get straight to it…here’s your Daily Three:

  1. The founder of Spanx funds the Red Backpack Fund which focuses on female entrepreneurs. They’ve started an emergency grant program with the below criteria. If eligible, you can start the process here:

    Majority women-owned businesses and nonprofits in the United States with annual revenues less than $5M, at least one paid employee, and with fewer than 50 individuals on staff. Sole proprietors and/or businesses that exclusively employ contractors are not eligible to receive this grant. Businesses must be in good standing and incorporated as a legal entity, and be able to demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing hardship.

  2. Our amazing local artists at Clinton Row, Lowe Mill and all around the Downtown area are small business owners too. That’s why its nice to see grant opportunities like this.

  3. Lastly, one note on grants. Even in less challenging times, these are often extremely competitive. Don’t be discouraged if you fall short on an application. Keep applying! Especially if you or an employee have available time. Keep applying!

UPDATE 4/9/20

Welcome to Thursday, April 9th! We hope you experience even small successes today. Today’s Daily Three is directly below:

  1. The Alabama Hospitality and Restaurant Association has posted a concise and helpful FAQ for the Paycheck Protection Program. Definitely worth a read.

  2. As food delivery continues to grow, this article from Wired Magazine provides an overview of the benefits and challenges of third-party restaurant delivery. The three primary options are: a) exclusively use a third-party; b) exclusively use internal delivery and c) combine internal delivery with third-party delivery.

  3. DHI Member Lanier Ford has posted a concise analysis of how the Alabama stay-at-home order interacts with the federal Families First Act. A quick but informative read.

UPDATE 4/7/20

Welcome to Tuesday, April 7th! We hope your day is filled with as many small victories as possible. Today’s Daily Three is directly below:

  1. Here’s a direct link to the U.S. Department of Labor’s coronavirus resource page. Lots of attention is focused on the U.S. Small Business Administration regarding the new Congressional actions but its important to remember that they also require several new DOL-related actions such as posting new workplace notices.

  2. Communication with your customers is critical during this challenging time. If you use Mailchimp as an email communication platform, they are offering some financial relief for their small business customers during this time. Basically, if you use Mailchimp, this could save you some money. Details can be found here.

  3. It’s exciting to see so many DHI members communicating with their customers in interesting and informative ways. Purveyor has done some fun, interactive Facebook Live product sales and several member businesses like Green Bus Brewing and OTBX have done “tip jar” concerts with musicians that would have normally performed live for an audience at their establishments. It works for soft good retailers too like this from Accents of the South. At DHI, we’re developing ideas for how you can interact with customers “live” on-line. Be on the lookout for that resource this weekend! Communicate, Interact, and Engage—your customers want to support you!

UPDATE 4/6/20

Good Monday morning! Today’s Daily Three is actually only a Daily One because we are pleased to announce the new temporary employment program in partnership with the Land Trust of North Alabama and the Downtown Huntsville Charitable Fund. Official details are below.

In particular, eligible employees and eligible employers are described in the FAQ.  If you would like for your unemployed/furloughed employees to be considered for this program, you will need to take two actions items:

1.  Forward the FAQ to them and instruct them to email the Land Trust at the email provided in the FAQ if they are interested in the project.  Their expression of interest does not guarantee employment but will allow them to begin the application process.

2.  If notified that one of your unemployed/furloughed workers is selected to participate in the program, you need to email DHI CEO Chad Emerson (chad@downtownhuntsville.org) your 9451 report for 2020 Q1 that includes the individual employee's name.  Please note:  You can “ black” out any employee that is not unemployed or that decides not to participate.  This will allow a standardized verification of former employment with you without providing any personal information other than that the individual was employed by you in 2020 Q1 and is no longer employed by you because of the business effects of coronavirus pandemic on your business operations.

Please email or call Chad at 256-701-0818 with any questions.  Please understand:  your unemployed/furloughed workers will only be eligible for this program if you complete the two action items described above.  Please consider taking the time to do that since this will be an opportunity for them to get paid for work in this challenging time.

Here is the project FAQ.

Learn more details from this al.com article and this WHNT article.

UPDATE 4/5/20

Good Sunday morning! Here’s your Daily Three:

  1. Good news! Just received an email from our local Facebook leadership advising that the Facebook Small Business Grants program is now live. The application launched on Friday. Here is the link. Eligible applicants will need to find Huntsville/Madison County from the drop-down menu. Thanks Facebook for supporting local small businesses in the Huntsville area!

  2. DHI Member Wilmer & Lee has posted a concise analysis of how the State’s new shelter in place does (and does not) affect work-related activities. H/t to Robert Lockwood for this important read.

  3. Important! DHI, in partnership with the Land Trust of North Alabama and the Downtown Huntsville Charitable Fund, will be announcing on Monday a new temporary employment program for Downtown area service industry workers who have been laid off because of the coronavirus pandemic. We’ll post full details on here but this opportunity will involve work on Monte Sano Mountain at a pay rate of $10 working on the removal of invasive Japanese honeysuckle. Full details on money but this is PAID work, not volunteer work.

UPDATE 4/4/20

Obviously, the big news from yesterday is the Governor’s (technically the ADPH’s) “stay at home” order. Today’s Daily Three focuses exclusively on that order.

  1. AL.com has posted an informative article on what can/cannot be done under the new order. You can read it here. You can also read the official order here. The order’s effect on food and beverage service does not appear to be significant. This is important: unless guidance is provided otherwise, food and beverage establishments are able to continue to serve their customers under this order the same as under the previous order. No in-restaurant dining but in-restaurant to-go ordering and pickup remains permissible as well as curbside pickup and home/office delivery. In other words, food and beverage establishments can continue to operate on Saturday like they did on Friday. We will post any additional information as soon as we receive it.

  2. The minimum 6 foot separation remains in effect and applies to guests who are ordering to-go or waiting for to-go orders. This is very important. You should create extremely well-delineated 6 foot spaced ordering and waiting areas. You should also ensure that guests are complying with that spacing both inside your establishment and directly outside of your establishment. The failure to do so could jeopardize the ability to continue to offer in-restaurant to-go and pickup options.

  3. Non-food and beverage retail establishments can continue to offer curbside and delivery options to guests unless specific guidance is provided otherwise. This is important though: curbside means that customers should not exit their vehicle to interact with you. Curbside should only involve the placement of ordered products in your vehicle. This topic is not extremely well-delineated in the latest order so we will continue to seek additional guidance and post it here if we learn any additional information.


UPDATE 4/3/20

Today’s Daily Three:

  1. DHI Member Warren Averett has posted a variety of sample policies for employers related to coronavirus HR issues. They’ve also posted a version of the new Department of Labor employee awareness poster that is now required to be posted in the workplace or otherwise distributed to employees via approved methods.

  2. In addition to your social media and other conventional outlets, two new (free to register) websites have been created where you can list your modified hours and operations…again for FREE. We encourage you to use these tools and don’t forget to go back in and update if you can hours or operations after first posting. It’s critical that customers experience accurate information when trying to purchase from you. Check out the two new sites here and here. We endorse both.

  3. Updated food service recommendations from ServSafe can be accessed here. These are important guidelines to follow especially with some food and beverage establishments operating with smaller than normal staff sizes.

UPDATE 4/2/20

Today’s Daily Three:

  1. The National Restaurant Association has posted their summary of the Paycheck Protection Program here.

  2. Don’t forget that your employees and former employees can still sign-up for Service Industry Tips. This website is free to register for and allows consumers to virtually tip service industry workers from their computer. Again, registration is free and the tip recipient is randomly generated. They can sign up here.

  3. There’s a new public Facebook group featuring Huntsville area retail options in light of the modifications many are having to make because of facility access restrictions. Consider joining the Facebook group HSV Retail Options here.

UPDATE 4/1/20

Effective today, we’re introducing a new feature to this blog thread: The Daily Three.

Each day, we’ll share three links that we think are very useful and informative. Many of you have only a limited amount of time to read the news as you work to keep your business operating, so we’ll spend time culling through the massive amount of articles out there and bring you our Daily Three that we believe small business operators should prioritize reading. So, without further adieu, the inaugural Daily Three:

  1. The U.S. Treasury Department has developed a very clear and succinct Assistance for Small Businesses section on its website. We recommend this as today’s Daily First.

  2. The U.S. Small Business Administration has streamlined their Covid-19 disaster loan on-line application process. You can directly access this extremely important program here. This program even provides for potential emergency loan forgiveness under certain circumstances. This is important and is today’s Daily Second.

  3. The Alabama Small Business Development Center has created a dedicated Covid-19 section on their website including links to webinars they are hosting. We highly recommend participating in their webinars when possible. They not only provide valuable information but they give you an opportunity to interact with others in these socially-isolated times. That’s why this is our Daily Third for April 1, 2020.


UPDATE 3/30/20

DHI CEO Chad Emerson participated in today’s daily press conference regarding the coronavirus pandemic. You can find the full press conference here (DHI comments begin at the 19:44 minute mark)

UPDATE 3/27/20

The State has issued an updated order that further limits access into non-essential businesses. The actual order can be reviewed here.

A couple of notes based on our reading of the latest order. We will continue to update this blog post if we learn of formal guidance that differs from the information below.

  1. To-Go purchases at food and beverage establishments remain permitted in accordance with the 6 foot separation requirements. While touch-less transactions are strongly encouraged, to-go orders may still be placed and paid for inside the food and beverage establishment.

  2. While guests can no longer enter non-food and beverage retail establishments, those establishments (such as retail boutiques) can still admit employees and still offer curbside and delivery options for items purchased on-line or via telephone or other out-of-store methods. Payments can be completed curbside which is generally considered space that is outside the actual boundaries of the retail establishment.


UPDATE 3/26/20

Beautiful weather has arrived and we’re grateful for that! Please help limit re-gathering outside of your establishments though. Our ability to keep the “purple cup” regulations in place and to continue to have in-restaurant “to-go” ordering and pick-up is really dependent on everyone working to avoid re-gathering outside Downtown establishments. We recommend using outdoor tape or sidewalk chalk to demonstrate 6 foot distancing outside your establishment. While you can’t enforce something outside your establishment, you can influence it so please kindly request that guests not re-gather after getting a purple cup or to-go order. Thanks!

Also, while Facebook has not announced the details of its $100 million small business assistance program that we discussed in a previous update, you can now register for updates that will come directly to you when the criteria and registration for the program is announced. As their initial release mentioned, Facebook will emphasize supporting communities where they have a Facebook presence like here in Huntsville.

Here is the direct link to registering for program updates: https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/grants

You are all in our thoughts and prayers. #Keepmovingforward

UPDATE 3/25/20

Today’s update features two small business emergency loan programs. Both offer flexible options for utilizing the loan funds and both offer lower-cost interest rates:

  1. Here’s a concise and informative post from Spur on the new Small Business Administration emergency loan program. Definitely worth a quick read as you evaluate this potential funding option.

  2. Here is a direct link to Huntsville-based Neighborhood Concepts’ Emergency Small Business Line of Credit Program. The program “will offer working capital loans up to $25,000 to help small businesses cover operating expenses in instances where their monthly income is insufficient to cover their monthly obligations due to COVID-19 hardship.” Full details at the link above.

UPDATE 3/24/20

With so many food, beverage, retail, and entertainment service workers unable to work based on the current social distancing restrictions, a variety of innovative options are popping up that allow you to share a “digital tap” to benefit our fantastic service industry employees. Here are few (if you know of more, please email chad@downtownhuntsville.org and we’ll add them to this UPDATE):

  1. Huntsville Industry Service Tips is a really simple yet useful concept. Just go to the link and a randomly-selected service industry worker will pop up on the screen (workers must submit to participate—there’s a link there for that too). You can then “tip” them via on-line payments like Venmo and others. In addition to just tipping because you want to support them, another idea is to use this digital tip jar to tip a worker each time you eat a meal or consume a beverage that you would have likely done at a restaurant, brewery, or bar if not for the restrictions.

  2. The social distancing restrictions at bars, restaurants, and other entertainment venues also means that musicians and other live performers are losing gigs. HuntsvilleMusic.com has developed detailed instructions on how to add “digital tips” for musicians. Check out the innovative program, here.

  3. Did you know that one of the country’s largest digital streaming entertainment companies is based right in Downtown Huntsville? We reached out to Fandom (formerly Curse) President Donovan Duncan and asked a simple question: what’s an effective way for musicians and other live performers to add digital tip opportunities to their streaming performances? Our conversation ended up at this really useful Boxcast post detailing how to collect donations from your live stream.

    Not only can this be used for music-streaming performances but you could also use it for streaming live trivia, live comedy acts and even cooking and bartending demonstrations that you stream from your establishment. This could be a great way to stay engaged with your audience while also generating some revenue for your team!

UPDATE 3/23/20

Below are direct links to what we have found to be some of the most useful planning resources for food, beverage, and retail small businesses. Please email chad@downtownhuntsville.org with additional resources to consider:

  1. Direct link to Small Business Administration COVID-19 resources including on-line emergency loan application link.

  2. Direct link to Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association “Carry Out Alabama” platform where you can list your businesses carryout, curbside, and delivery availability for free on a statewide platform that can be searched by area.

  3. Direct link to Alabama ABC Board FAQ regarding their emergency curbside regulations. Please note that these emergency regulations apply to licensed establishments in addition to breweries, distilleries, wineries and bottle shops that typically sell sealed to-go products. This means that licensed establishments can sell sealed packages like growlers.

  4. Direct link to one of the best food service/COVID-19 FAQ articles that we’ve read. We highly recommend the article from Serious Eats and its thorough review of various industry questions related to the virus and food preparation.

UPDATE 3/20/20

With guests no longer permitted to consume or congregate in your food and beverage establishment, it would seem that live music, live trivia or other live activities might not be feasible…but that’s actually not the case.

Food, beverage, and entertainment establishments can still stream live music performances, trivia nights, live comedy and other performances via your website, certain social media platforms and certain third-party websites. And, while doing so, you can include a “digital tip jar” that allows viewers to add tips for the performers and/or your staff. Below is a link to an article generally discussing the concept. This can be an innovative to keep some amount of revenue coming in for performers and employees as well as interacting with your guests.

Learn more here.

In these more isolated times, continued live interaction with guests is an important part of the positive psychology of customer service.

UPDATE 3/19/20

The Public Health Officer for the State of Alabama released a new list of stringent containment policies for communities to follow to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. These include full school closures, senior center closures, pre-school and child care closures, nursing home restrictions, delayed elective-medical procedures, limited gatherings of no more than 25 persons, bar closures, and no on-premise consumption of food and beverages in restaurants. Mayor Tommy Battle says the City of Huntsville will immediately follow these policies in the best interest of public health. You can read the full order given by Governor Ivey HERE.


UPDATE 3/19/20

A big thanks to local employment innovation company Spur in providing these following resources for employers. This is a national review of employer issues coming from one our leading Huntsville-based technology companies. Very insightful and helpful.

General Guidance on COVID-19 for Employers

Federal Families First Coronavirus Legislation Overview for Employers

UPDATE 3/18/20

The Alabama ABC Board has passed an emergency order that provides temporary curbside delivery and payment at breweries and designated establishments in sealed containers for a defined amount.

Below is a link to the official order. If you have any questions, please email chad@downtownhuntsville.org or call 256-701-0818 if you have any questions as we are engaged in continuing conversations related to this order.

https://yellowhammernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ABC-Board-Emergency-Rule.pdf

UPDATE 3/17/20:

We have received several calls about whether Governor Ivey has instructed Madison County restaurants to eliminate in-restaurant dining. The current instruction is limited to Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Blount, St. Clair and Shelby counties. However, the situation remains very fluid so it would not be surprising to see that order expanded. As of 12:30pm on 3/17/20 that is not the case in Madison County but we strongly recommend Downtown Huntsville area restaurants continue to expeditiously evaluate the possibility of being limited to curbside and/or delivery dining options.

More information is available (including a post of the official statement) at https://governor.alabama.gov/

UPDATE 3/16/20:

The Alabama Department of Public Health has released new guidance regarding public gatherings including food and beverage establishments. You can read the full guidance here: http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/news/2020/03/16.html

In particular, Downtown area food and beverage establishments should note these items of guidance:

“For retail business, including restaurants, limit patronage at any one time to 50% of the normally allowable capacity. Restaurants should maintain a six-foot distance between tables.”

UPDATE 3/15/20:

Food and beverage establishments are highly encouraged to post their updated food service protocols for in-restaurant, to-go, and delivery options on all of your social media platforms. In addition, when a social media platform allows for doing so, you are encouraged to “pin” this post to the top of your page (ex: Pinning the post to the top of your Facebook page). Additional strategies to share your updated protocols include posting them on your website and distributing them via any email lists you distribute to guests.

The key objective is to make it as easy and convenient as possible for guests to read your updated protocols.

ORIGINAL POST 3/13/20:

Most research anticipates that consumers will still seek “out of home” prepared food and beverage during this anticipated disruption. We recommend that you begin contingency plans for the following three scenarios even if just for a short-term period of time:

In Restaurant Dining [Update 3/17/20: In Restaurant Dining No Longer Permitted]

  • Evaluate your current food supplies and consider the possibility of some disruptions in food and beverage distribution. While disruptions are only a possibility, several restaurants have advised us that they are pre-ordering additional food (especially non-perishable/less perishable items) in the event that deliveries are delayed or temporarily halted.

  • Evaluate the current layout of your dining space as well as cooking space. One of the most common recommendations to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus is known as “social distancing”. This can be exercised in a dining room by providing greater distance between tables than is typical. The information linked above includes specific recommendations about best practices for space between individuals. Temporarily removing some tables and chairs can help accomplish this.

  • Reduce or eliminate re-used items and “pre-set” items. Some research indicates that the Coronavirus can remain on solid surfaces for a period of time. Using disposable utensils and dishes can help mitigate this as well as avoiding “pre-setting” tables with utensils and dishes before they are occupied.

  • Key question: Can you accommodate for likely reduced in-restaurant dining demand by reducing in-restaurant supply in the short term? This could realize the ancillary benefit of “social distancing”.


To-Go Restaurant Dining

  • Evaluate whether your customers could order on-line (including on-line payment) and pick up their food with minimal physical interaction in the transaction (ex: e-signing receipts rather than using a common terminal or common pens).

  • Evaluate your to-go packaging capabilities. This can be minimalized to only the meal’s serving container leaving utensils and napkins to the customer in their home.

  • Key question: Can you serve your food and beverage at the level of quality you require in a to-go environment?


Delivery Restaurant Dining

  • With the likelihood of self-quarantine and other isolation protocols, can your food and beverage establishment convert to a delivery model for the short term? Several Downtown area restaurants are evaluating this model and preparing to implement it as a short-term business change to address social distancing and other isolation protocols. 

  • This temporary model could provide an opportunity for current server employees to convert to delivery employees while retaining some amount of kitchen staff.

  • Key issues in this temporary modification include a) order payment in advance of delivery (to reduce direct transactions at delivery); b) procuring sufficient food packaging for delivery; and c) researching legal and regulatory issues related to food delivery versus in-restaurant dining


We anticipate a temporary restructuring of the food and beverage transaction. DHI will remain in daily contact with government and industry experts to share the latest developments and strategies.