Town Crier Articles

 

There’s rarely been such an opportunity to accomplish so much by doing so little.

 

Many residents and guests of New Town Williamsburg have rediscovered a simple, satisfying way to enjoy life, help their neighbors and support the community at large: indulging in the broad array of restaurants and other businesses that make New Town a distinctive regional destination. Right now, people are understandably cautious about spending time in public places, but a year into the pandemic, restaurants in New Town are typical of the precautions business owners are taking to follow the guidelines of industry and medical experts. 

 

Employees wear masks and gloves and replace them often. Managers have adjusted the layout of tables and seating to meet or exceed the recommended six-foot distance and some have added partitions that extend toward the ceiling between booths. Cleaning and sanitizing surfaces occurs at regular, frequent intervals, with extra close attention paid to high-contact areas, such as doors.

 

Outside dining is an option at numerous New Town eateries, many of which already offered patio seating before the pandemic. Sometimes it’s fully enclosed and other times tables occupy a more open-air arrangement. The restaurants provide heaters and soft illumination to make this option comfortable. Some guests come prepared for outside dining, bringing their own blankets, European-style.

 

Many restaurants become so comfortable with ensuring safe dining during these difficult times that the staff has begun to bring back extras that enhance the experience, such as gift baskets for special occasions and live music.

 

And those who still aren’t quite ready to be served at a restaurant are calling in orders for pickup. There are numerous options. 

 

New Town restaurants are constantly thinking as much about how you can safely enjoy the food as what’s on the plate – an area of expertise that was well-established long ago. Regular diners know that the range of options available at New Town can accommodate every occasion and mood, from quick and easy fare to fine dining. There’s ethnic cuisine, eclectic experiences and libations found nowhere else in the Historic Triangle.

 

The attention to safety and service has reassured loyal patrons who have been returning to their favorite New Town restaurants. But there’s another reason the regulars are coming back: a commitment to support their friends and neighbors. Restaurateurs are heartened by the return customers and by the comments of gratitude and support they hear from patrons who are able and willing to spend dollars in their own community.

 

There seems to be reason for optimism that the pandemic may soon be behind us, but after many long months of adversity, New Town’s vibrant commercial district needs support now more than ever. That might come from neighbors who simply want to enjoy a good meal. And it could just as well be a return to regular patronage of the wide range of entertainment personal and professional services. Regardless of how that support arrives, it’s vital – and easy – to show that the New Town community is facing this challenge together.