SF could permanently lose half its restaurants to coronavirus pandemic, group says

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Half of San Francisco restaurants could close permanently because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to an estimate from the Golden Gate Restaurant Association.

Laurie Thomas, the association’s executive director, emphasized that the figure was highly uncertain. “Let’s hope that I’m wrong,” she said, adding that the association is conducting further research to get a clearer picture.

But her estimate is based on alarming pieces of evidence. In late March, just over a week after Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered people across the state to shelter in place, the California Restaurant Association sent a letter to Newsom saying that 20% to 30% of restaurants across California could close permanently “unless there are bold measures taken by the state.”

Since that time, it’s becom

SF could permanently lose half its restaurants to coronavirus pandemic, group says

As evidence of economic devastation piles up, the executive director of the Golden Gate...

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