Da Claudio NYC Ristorante

NYC Restaurants Impacted by Hurricane Sandy Discuss Lessons Learned to Cope With Coronavirus | Eater NY

"I recount that the owners of this FiDi Italian restaurant previously lost Barbarini to Sandy and then used about $1.5 million (mostly from a risky, high-interest 10-year loan secured against their apartment) to cover construction and equipment costs for Da Claudio after being shut out of many aid programs; they also raised about $18,000 via crowdfunding and sold discounted gift certificates. From Sandy and 9/11 the owners learned to take matters into their own hands and focus on what works. During COVID-19 business plunged (May down over 80%), the restaurant briefly closed then reopened with a reduced staff and has been delivering meals to nearby New York Presbyterian Hospital funded by customer donations; the owners applied twice for PPP and ultimately received funding through a smaller bank, received the $10,000 EIDL grant, and have an approved but unfunded Downtown Alliance Rental Assistance Grant. They expect customers to return eventually but anticipate a slow financial recovery and a 'survival of the fittest' environment." - Alexandra Ilyashov