Don’t Kick Restaurants When They’re Down
On Wednesday, August 26, I met a friend in downtown Rye for an early dinner. When I returned to the parking lot I was surprised to find a citation on my car. Upon further investigation, I discovered that the City of Rye now issues citations up until 9 p.m.
Parking downtown has always been a dissuading factor for our restaurants (and merchants) to deal with, especially during the day. Now, as our restaurants struggle in the new semi-normal Covid environment, the City of Rye gives their dinner customers one more reason not to patronize them. Whatever might be gained on incremental parking fees are sure to be lost in decreased sales tax revenues. Certainly, the restaurants and their employees have the most to lose.
I am sure many will be seeking dinner opportunities in more welcoming jurisdictions.
- Bernard F. Curry
