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Northam: State to loosen more restrictions May 15
Beginning May 15, the state will loosen more restrictions, including allowing larger social gatherings and expanded audiences for entertainment venues and sporting events, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced in a video message released Thursday. Restaurants will also be allowed to resume serving alcohol after midnight. Northam’s amendments to his pandemic executive orders, which take effe[...]
Bar seating reopened statewide, governor declares
For the first time in more than a year, Virginians are now allowed to sit at bars for service as long as they stay at least six feet apart. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam amended Executive Order 72 on Wednesday without an announcement, making the following policy change for restaurants, breweries, distilleries, wineries and tasting rooms: […]
Va. hotel revenues up 12% in March
Virginia hotel revenues for March 2021 increased by 12% compared with March 2020, according to data released Tuesday by STR Inc., a CoStar Group division that provides market data on the U.S. hospitality industry. During the same period, rooms sold went up by 25%. The average daily rate (ADR) paid for hotel rooms dropped 10% […]
The Omni Homestead Resort gets new managing director
A longtime luxury resort executive, Mark Spadoni, has been hired as managing director for The Omni Homestead Resort, the hotel announced Monday. For the past 20 years, Spadoni has served as the general manager for the AAA Four-Diamond, 403-room Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and Club at Savannah Harbor in Georgia. During Spadoni’s […]
Richmond supports restaurants with ‘Picnic in a Parklet’
Two Richmond restaurants will see their on-street parking lanes become outdoor dining areas this week to serve customers, spark business and encourage safer and socially distanced spaces. The dining areas are part Richmond city government’s “Picnic in a Parklet” pilot program, a partnership between the city and downtown booster Venture Richmond, according to a March […]
Hotel revenues down 39% in February
Virginia hotel revenues for February 2021 declined by 39% compared to February 2020, according to data released Thursday by STR Inc., a CoStar Group division that provides market data on the U.S. hospitality industry. During the same period, rooms sold declined by 23%. The average daily rate (ADR) paid for hotel rooms dropped 21% to […]
‘Love Local’ launches to help National Landing businesses
National Landing Business Improvement District and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington have launched a $100,000 joint relief initiative, Love Local, which will assist struggling restaurants and small businesses in Arlington’s National Landing neighborhood with minimum $1,000 grants. “Restaurants and small businesses are the backbone of our community in National Landing �[...]
Virginia restaurants grapple with plastic foam container ban
RICHMOND, Va. — From vermicelli bowls to crispy chicken, Pho Luca’s, a Vietnamese-owned Richmond restaurant, uses plastic foam containers to package takeout meals. That may soon change after the General Assembly recently passed a bill banning such packaging. After negotiations on a Senate amendment, the House agreed in a 57-39 vote last week on an […]
Richmond confirms six eligible bids for casino, seeks public input
Place your bets. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney’s office confirmed Friday that the six casino proposals made public this week all submitted proposals that are eligible for consideration by Richmond City Council and voters. The city also revealed the proposed locations for all six plans. Bally’s Corp. and Golden Nugget Hotels & Casinos are interested in […]
Hotel revenues down 27% for January
Virginia hotel revenues for January 2021 were down 27% compared with January 2020, continuing the industry’s slow climb back to recovering from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to data released Thursday from STR Inc., a CoStar Group division that provides market data on the U.S. hospitality industry. For the same period, rooms […]
UPDATED: Golden Nugget, Wind Creek enter proposals to build Richmond casino
Updated 3 p.m., Feb. 24 Joining at least four other groups competing to be chosen as Richmond’s choice for a casino operator, bids from two other casino companies were made public Wednesday. Houston-based Golden Nugget Hotels & Casinos has proposed a $400 million casino project about six miles from downtown, and Wind Creek Hospitality, affiliated […]
UPDATED: Richmond now has six major casino proposals
Updated Feb. 26 The city of Richmond is now considering six casino proposals, the mayor’s office announced Friday. Monday afternoon was the city’s deadline for its request for proposals, and all six submitted were deemed eligible. Starting next month, Richmond will hold public meetings with opportunities for citizen input. In addition to the Pamunkey Indian […]
