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Operations

Operating a restaurant involves a lot of moving parts – most controlled by you, but many controlled by laws, regulations, licenses and permits. Alcoholic beverages, food safety, labor practices and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (the healthcare mandate) are significant – and then there is everything else.

Get to know the regulatory agencies that govern such things as sidewalk cafes, signage, noise, fire safety and more. And, get to know about the efforts being made by RAMW on your behalf to improve the regulatory environment.


Mayor Bowser Announces DC Businesses Can Now Apply for SBA Disaster Assistance Loans

March 17, 2020
DC Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) Can Now Apply for Federal Relief Funds (WASHINGTON, DC) – Tuesday, March 17, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the US Small Business Administration (SBA) has accepted the District of Columbia’s declaration for assistance in the form of economic injury disaster loans following the advent of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and DC businesses can start applying now. While the SBA directly administers this loan program, the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), led by Director Kristi Whitfield, will liaise with...

Updates & Clarifications on Relief & Requirements

March 18, 2020
Dear Restaurant Community, As we try to give you up to date information, we ask that you also be patient as we are doing our best to respond to each and every email and also provide you with information that has been subject to change. We received an influx of questions and want to provide some clarification shared in our earlier email. UPDATED INFO Virginia: Governor Northam Mandates 10 or fewer patrons Governor Ralph Northam issued a new statement that changes his recommendation to a mandate, which limits the number of patrons to 10 or less. Restaurants are encouraged to continue to go and...

ABRA GUIDANCE | COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020

March 17, 2020
PLEASE READ THIS IN ITS ENTIRETY. Tuesday, March 17, Mayor Muriel Bowser signed into law the COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020. Included is a provision that allows ABC-licensed restaurants and taverns to sell beer, wine, and spirits in closed containers for carry-out and/ or delivery to DC residences in conjunction with the purchase of one or more prepared food items. Before an eligible restaurant or tavern may sell beer, wine, and spirits in closed containers for carry-out and delivery, they must register with ABRA — no exceptions . Registration can be completed in five...

IMPORTANT UPDATES on Employer Relief and Employee Benefits 3/17

March 17, 2020
Dear Restaurant Community, We have a few important updates to share with you based on what was passed by the DC City Council and recommendations from Virginia Governor Ralph Northam Tuesday, March 17, 2020. We are also sharing what is a work in progress and happening on the Federal level. This is a long email, but includes important information, so please read the entire message as most of your questions could be answered with this update. DC Update The DC City Council just voted on Emergency Legislation, which means it goes into effect immediately upon the Mayor's signature. Below is a...

UPDATE DC Bans On Premise Dining Starting 3/16 @10pm

March 16, 2020
BREAKING NEWS DC Mayor Muriel Bowser issued guidelines banning on premise dining at restaurants starting at 10pm tonight and through April 1, 2020 at 6am. Restaurants and bars are still able to offer meals to go through take out, delivery or curbside service. Read the Mayor's order here . Tomorrow, the DC Council is introducing Emergency Legislation that will offer relief for the local industry and its workers. More to come on what this relief package looks like tomorrow. As a reminder, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan banned on premise dining starting at 5pm today. In Maryland, take out,...

URGENT UPDATES on Restaurant Operations

March 16, 2020
A Note from the Desk of RAMW's President & CEO, Kathy E. Hollinger Dear RAMW Members, I am beyond proud of the resilience of our industry. As you are all very aware, everything has been turned upside down, and this is a quickly evolving situation. This does not take away from the fact that we are a community of small businesses that through the years have successfully adapted to changing times. We are impressed with your agility during this current situation, as you put in place rapid changes that are necessary in order to put the public health of your staff, diners, friends and...

Worker Support - Meals, Perishables, Supplies

March 16, 2020
As an association we are focused on protecting restaurant operators during this incredible time for you as a business owner, we have also heard from so many of you about your concerns rooted in your employees. There are some local grassroots efforts to help workers, as you may have seen. We are collaborating with Hook Hall Helps who are helping to ensure that workers have access to to-go meals and supplies. We started a Worker Relief Fund as well that has raised $14,000+ in 48 hours. First and foremost, we needed to just act on something quickly. This will be used first to ensure that people...

Feeding America Establishes COVID-19 Response Fund To Help Food Banks During The Coronavirus Pandemic

March 13, 2020
Funds will be used to aid the most vulnerable people throughout the country CHICAGO – March 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ – Feeding America , the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a network of 200 member food banks across the country, today announced the establishment of the COVID-19 Response Fund to help food banks across the country as they support communities impacted by the pandemic. The $2.65 million fund will enable food banks to secure the resources they need to serve the most vulnerable members of the community during this difficult time. Still, it is...

During Modified DC Government Operations, Many Services Still Operating

March 15, 2020
(Washington, DC) While the District of Columbia Government will begin to modify its operations starting Monday, March 16, in order to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the District government wants residents to know that it will continue to deliver essential services and keep the majority of its systems and services operating. Operations and Infrastructure District Department of Transportation (DDOT) DDOT remains open, with most DDOT staff teleworking through Tuesday, March 31. Programs that will maintain normal operations are: DC Circulator will operate its regular schedule...

NEW HEALTH GUIDELINES for Bars and Restaurants

March 15, 2020
PLEASE READ IMPORTANT REAL TIME UPDATES BELOW REGARDING YOUR OPERATIONS. All restaurants and community members have to be mindful as to how we are changing our operating culture to accommodate and enforce the new guidelines to ensure public health is the priority. It will require rethinking offerings and adjusting operations. We encourage you to think creatively about how your food offerings may look different. Newly Issued Guidelines for DC Restaurants and Tavern License Holders DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, has just released new guidance that directly impacts the restaurant and hospitality...

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