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Macchialina, a popular Italian restaurant in Miami Beach, closed for a few days this month after a staff member tested positive for the virus. But the restaurant was able to operate through most of the pandemic thanks to Florida’s early reopening (and an outdoor courtyard).
At the worst of the pandemic, Macchialina laid off 25 employees. Business is still down, but “we can’t complain,” said Michael Pirolo, the executive chef and owner. His brother had to permanently close his Brooklyn restaurant last April thanks to the long lockdown.
“We have kind of a bad reputation around the world for not following the rules, because we are open,” said Jacqueline Pirolo, her sister and managing partner, of Florida. “But for the most part, our customers who come to dine with us follow all the rules. We’ve been able to open up and do it safely, and that’s kind of the middle ground.
Rolando Aedo, chief operating officer of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, said about half of restaurant workers and 90% of hotel workers were laid off last year, a loss of around 150,000 jobs virtually overnight. Now, the volume of bookings on the OpenTable app is about 97% of what it was just before the pandemic hit Florida, he said. Hotel occupancy rates are down nearly 20%, which is better than what industry watchers expected.
Hotels are busy booking rooms in Miami Beach, despite the city’s efforts to deter spring breakers from coming.
“Unfortunately, too many people are looking to go wild,” said Mayor Dan Gelber. “Letting go is precisely what we don’t want.”
Recently, as the sun set, couples and small groups strolled down Ocean Drive, entering and exiting sidewalk restaurants. Nightclubs like Mango’s Tropical Cafe, a South Beach staple, remain closed. The garage costs $ 20, part of a spring break price hike.
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