Senate Approves $25B Restaurant Relief Measure

On February 4th, the Senate voted 90-10 to approve a budget amendment, the Restaurant Rescue Plan, which establishes a $25 billion grant program for restaurants hurt by the pandemic. The amendment is part of a budget resolution passed by the Senate this morning that paves the way for passage of President Joe Biden's pandemic relief package known as the American Rescue Plan. The resolution now heads back to the House for final approval.
 
More restaurant financial relief is still being advocated for as the RESTAURANTS Act of 2021 was formally introduced in the 117th Congress this morning. The RESTAURANTS Act of 2021 is modeled after legislation introduced last Congress. The proposal would create a $120 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund to provide relief to food service or drinking establishments that are part of a group of up to 20 facilities. 
 
Read more here. 

Shared Spaces: Sign Replacements & Multilingual Design Guidelines Now Available

Sign Replacements:
As outdoor dining and other services are resuming under the most recent health orders, you may notice a need to replace missing or significantly damaged “no parking” and/or “loading zone” signs.

Note: you do not need to replace the signs if you have built a structure in the related parking space.

For replacement signs, please email SignReplacement@SFMTA.com with the following information: 

• Shared Spaces ID number – this is in the original permit approval email sent by the SFMTA.

• Case number –  this can be found on the signs. If they are missing, SFMTA can look this up but it will take additional time.

• Address where the signs are posted  

• Number of replacement signs 

Multilingual Design Guidelines Now Available:
San Francisco’s Shared Spaces program was created for local businesses to provide services outdoors safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are guidelines for creating or adapting a Shared Space for use during the darker, colder, and wetter winter months.

Don't forget to review the complete Design Guidelines online for best practices, which are available in the following languages:

• English

• Español

• 中文

• Filipino

Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) at Sunday's Big Game

In addition to making their voices heard on Capitol Hill this week, the IRC is spreading their message to Americans coast-to-coast during Sunday’s Big Game. In partnership with Cointreau, they are saying thank you to the independent restaurants and bars, and the people who make them the hearts of communities everywhere, with their new Love Letter TV ad and campaign.



Watch the TV ad behind-the-scenes video here to learn more, and join us in saying thank you by writing your own love letter. More than just encouraging words, these love letters will raise awareness of the plight small businesses and workers continue to face. Click on the image below to save the blank template (press and hold down if you’re on mobile) and share your words of love and support to local restaurant and bar workers on your Instagram story. Don’t forget to tag @IndpRestaurants and @Cointreau_US!