Restaurant owners on Delmarva say staffing and supply shortages are handcuffing their industry. Many say they cannot find workers and supply chain issues are driving up prices. Bill Walsh is the manager at Dumser's and says he has gone carry out only at times because the reduced staff could not handle a full restaurant. He also says the worker shortage is not letting up.
Restaurants are asking for help from the federal government. Restaurants open US Congress will restart the Restaurant Revitalization Funds, which sent money to restaurants earlier in the pandemic. Mike Daly of Mogan's Oyster House says help is needed now.
STAFFING SHORTAGES ARE STILL IMPACTING BUSINESSES AND RESTAURANTS here ON Delmarva. It's the point where HELP WANTED SIGNS HAVE BECOME THE NORM. OWNERS IN Chincoteague SAY THEY ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF HELP.
The LGBTQ+ community in the city of Rehoboth are working together to fight the coronavirus. Across the country, the LGBTQ+ community has been ahead of the game in terms of battling COVID. For example, many gay bars in big cities like New York, Los Angeles and Seattle required customers to show proof of vaccination before entering the establishment. These bars implemented these rules way before the states mandated it.
Restaurants on Chincoteague Island are struggling to find workers. WBOC's Kayla Tinsley reports on how one diner will close extra days during the week.
Maryland's COVID state of emergency ends July 1. Worcester County commissioners announced they will end carry out alcohol sales for restaurants. WBOC's Kayla Tinsley reports restaurant owners in Wicomico County hope their commissioners don't follow suit.
It's only June and tempers are boiling over in Ocean City. Some comments on social media in response to people losing patience over short-staffed businesses at the beach: "I don't know why anyone feels the need to be rude and hateful," and "People have forgotten how to interact in reasonable and considerate ways."
Restaurants in the beach town like M.R. Ducks say demand was as you would expect it for this past Memorial Day Weekend. With demand expected to be the same or higher this weekend and throughout the entire summer, manager Sean Coughlin says he will make it work but desperately needs more workers.
Hiring. Hiring. Hiring. Up and down Coastal Highway are signs advertising employment. Some, even with benefits. With Maryland ending its additional $300/wk unemployment benefits, restaurants like Bourbon Street on the Beach say, 'that's great' but worry it's a little too late.
While many in Rehoboth Beach would rather forget the summer of 2020, there is one thing sticking around from last year: outdoor dining. The city says more than 40 restaurants set tables outside this year. Alfresco dining is a delight for some, but it comes at the cost of valuable parking spots.