SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A total of 41 food and beverage businesses at Destiny USA on Friday demanded New York State let them reopen under phase three of the state’s regional economic-reopening plan.
The tenants argue that it’s unfair that they cannot open while standalone restaurants and bars can do so. That’s because shopping malls remain closed under the third phase, with the exception of stores or restaurants that have exterior entrances. Businesses in the interior portions of malls can only offer curbside pickup service.
The group of 41 represents more than one out of six of Destiny’s 247 tenants and employs 1,000 employees at the complex.
Despite “carefully” following the phased approach that the state outlined and “investing significantly” in new safety and social-distancing protocols, the affected businesses and their employees are in “serious jeopardy at a critical juncture” in the state’s recovery, per a Destiny USA news release, entitled “New York Backwards.”
The businesses have also met all local and national health and safety metrics, the mall operator contends.
“Our livelihoods are at stake, and we are anxious and ready to get back to work to support our families, who are depending on us at this critical time,” Neil Patel, owner of World of Beer, said in the release. “We’re simply asking not to be treated any differently than those restaurants that are being allowed to open under similar circumstances.”
The 41 Destiny USA tenants that put their name on the release are:
- 110 Grill
- Apex Entertainment
- Arby’s
- Auntie Anne’s
- Burger King
- Beef Jerky Outlet
- Burger King
- Cajun Café
- Cantina Laredo
- Carmel Corn
- Charley’s Philly Steaks
- Chicken Now
- China Express
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Cheesecake Factory
- Dave & Buster’s
- Dough Life
- Dunkin’ Donuts
- Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters
- Gertrude’s Chocolates
- It’s Sugar
- Johnny Rockets
- Koto
- Kung Fu Tea
- Lindt Chocolate
- Margaritaville
- Panera Bread
- Pepper Palace
- PF Chang’s
- Poke Noodle
- Popeye’s
- Razzle Dazzle
- Roll Roll Ice Cream
- Sbarro
- Starbucks
- Sweet Yummy
- Taco Bell
- Texas de Brazil
- TGI Friday’s
- Utea
- World of Beer
Central New York and four other regions entered phase three of their reopening on Friday. The big new attractions restarting in this phase are restaurants and bars for indoor dining and drinking at 50 percent of their maximum capacity. Personal-care services such as cosmetologists, massage therapists, nail salons, spas, and tattoo artists also get the green light in phase three.