ONE YEAR AFTER THE FIRST SHUTDOWNS, THE FINISH LINE IS IN SIGHT for districts and small businesses. The vaccine and warmer weather are already encouraging more people outside, but there are still many long months to survive.

RESTAURANTS

The ghost kitchen trend – where restaurants share kitchen space and often exist only online – is going into overdrive as restaurants prepare for a post-pandemic rush. This can be a lifeline for restaurants that have had to cut back on staff, as well as empty kitchens. There’s an enormous amount of investment money out there ($1trillion in the next decade), so we’re seeing some restaurants forming cooperatives to share a ghost kitchen. These kitchens also serve as incubators for startup concepts that aren’t ready for brick-and-mortar. For downtowns with new vacancies, supporting ghost kitchens and incubators can be a worthy investment.

Family-style options are tapering off fast, after being a staple of takeout during the pandemic. Guests are again demanding the dishes and cuisines they enjoyed before, and more restaurants are mastering the ability to quickly customize dishes again.

Technology for takeout is now ubiquitous, even among the smallest restaurants. GPS is built into most ordering apps so that food can be delivered to the car at precisely the right time, with minimal trips back to the kitchen.

By far the biggest trend that restaurants are still wrestling with are delivery fees. Some cities have capped delivery fees, while other apps (like Square) advertise no delivery fees for restaurants. As more drivers return to work, we expect to see delivery services competing to lower fees even further.

VACCINE VERIFICATION

Some businesses have begun experimenting with allowing employees and customers with vaccine verification cards more leeway. While this is still generally illegal and unsafe, some people report it helps them feel safer. New digital cards are rolling out now that are harder to counterfeit, so we expect to see even more people trying to use them as proof that they don’t need to follow the rules. Districts are encouraged to work with their counsel to create and distribute guidelines for businesses.

GOING V-SHAPED

The economy is already starting to go V-shaped: a sharp rise after a sharp fall. With plenty of investment money to go around, small businesses that can fill your vacancies may have the capital… but they’re no more sophisticated than before. Districts that don’t yet have a small business specialist and step-by-step collateral are strongly encouraged to hire or train someone to get small businesses online as quickly as possible before the chains move in, and the district loses its uniqueness.

CITY INNOVATION

Now is the time to create a wish list of things you want from your city. Cities are in the mood to be more progressive and innovative now that recovery has begun. Ask all of your departments for their wish list items. Some examples that we’ve seen consistently funded across the country are free/reduced fees for police/parking/fees for street closures and events, public art, expanded housing and services for the homeless, and street beautification. Don’t be shy; investing in lobbying now can save you millions.