>> TONIGHT ON RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY -- MICHELLE: FOR MANY BLACK ENTREPRENEURS IN RHODE ISLAND, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AMPLIFIED STRUGGLES THEY FELT RUNNING SMALL BUSINESSES.

IF BLACK COMMUNITIES ARE GOING TO THRIVE, WE HAVE TO GET ROBUST INVESTMENTS.

>> DO A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT TO CREATE THE ILLUSION THAT THINGS ARE BACK TO NORMAL, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WANT AND RESTAURANTS.

MICHELLE: FACED WITH ONE RESTRICTION AFTER ANOTHER, RESTAURANTS ARE TRYING TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE UNCERTAINTY.

>> RESTAURANTS ARE FORCED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE HEALTH OF THEIR STAFF VERSUS MAKING A DOLLAR, AND TO ME THAT IS A DECISION THAT SHOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE TO US.

♪ [CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] MICHELLE: GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

I'M MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

LAST MARCH, WHEN AMERICANS LEFT THEIR PLACES OF WORK BECAUSE OF COVID-19, MANY THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE HOME FOR A FEW DAYS OR WEEK OR TWO AT MOST.

BUT AS WEEKS TURNED INTO MONTHS, WORKING REMOTELY TOOK ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING.

TECHNOLOGY HAS, FOR SOME, MADE THE TRANSITION A BIT EASIER.

AT FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR AS THEY TRY TO KEEP THEIR HEADS ABOVE WATER AND THE PANDEMIC AT BAY.

TONIGHT, WE WILL MEET SOME TENACIOUS AND DETERMINES RHODE ISLANDERS WHO FACED MULTIPLE OBSTACLES AS COVID-19 INTENSIFIED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH A REPORT ON SOME OF THE VERY REAL STRUGGLES SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE FACED IN THE UNITED STATES AND RIGHT HERE IN THEOCEAN STAGE.

SMALL BUSINESSES ARE OFTEN CONSIDERED THE BACKBONE OF THE ECONOMY, BUT MANY OF THOSE COMPANIES WERE ALREADY AT A DISADVANTAGE AT THE ONSET OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

HISTORICALLY, BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES HAVE LESS ACCESS TO CAPITAL THAN WHITE OWNED BUSINESSES, AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE LOAN APPLICATIONS WERE -- REJECTED.

MANY HAVE LITTLE CUSHION TO LEAN ON WHEN THE PANDEMIC PITCH.

IT'S UNCLEAR HOW MANY OF THOSE BUSINESSES HAVE SHUTTERED IN RHODE ISLAND DURING THE CRISIS.

THE STATE DOESN'T BREAK DOWN BUSINESS CLOSURES BY RACE.

BUT NATIONWIDE, THE NUMBER IS STAGGERING.

THERE WAS A 41% DROP IN BLACK-OWNED FIRMS FROM FEBRUARY TO APRIL 2020.

LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS SAY THE RELIEF PROGRAMS SET UP TO HELP COMPANIES DIDN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE UNIQUE MAKEUP AND CHALLENGES FACING MINORITY BUSINESSES.

>> OUR WORK IN THE STORE IS LOOKING AT MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE COME IN HERE LOOK GOOD AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES WHEN THEY LEAVE.

MICHELLE: ANGIE AND HER HUSBAND FRANK OWN A CLOTHING STORE THAT SELLS A VARIETY OF TAILORED SUITS, SPORT COATS, AND MEN'S DRESS SHOES.

IN THEIR 11 YEARS OF BUSINESS, THEY'VE NEVER SEEN SALES DRY UP LIKE THIS.

>> REVENUE IS DOWN BY 90% TO 95%.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT GRADUATIONS, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM WAS EITHER CANCELED OR LIMITED VIRTUALLY.

YOU TALK ABOUT WEDDINGS, WHERE PEOPLE ARE HAVING WEDDING PARTIES WITH 200, 3 HUNDRED PEOPLE, THOSE ARE NOT HAPPENING.

GENERAL CELEBRATIONS, ANNIVERSARY PARTIES, ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE LIMITED, WHICH A SIGNIFICANT -- IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF OUR BUSINESS.

MICHELLE: SHE RECEIVED MONEY FROM THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM, BUT IT DIDN'T EVEN COVER ONE MONTH'S RENT.

SHE ALSO RECEIVED A GRANT FROM --.

WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STAY IN BUSINESS WITHOUT THAT GRANT?

>> NO.

WE DIDN')T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR UTILITIES, WE DID NOT HAVE INCOME, ESPECIALLY RIGHT AFTER THE 12 OR 14 WEEKS OR SO OF SHUT DOWN, EVERYONE WAS AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE.

MICHELLE: BEING AFRAID TO GO OUT SIDE HAS ALSO HURT THEIR OTHER BUSINESS, A BARBERSHOP NEXT TO THE CLOTHING STORE ON RESERVOIR AVENUE.

FEWER CUSTOMERS ARE STOPPING BY, DESPITE THE INCREASED SAFETY MEASURES.

>> WE SIGN IN, WE CHECKED THEIR TEMPERATURE, SO THE TEMPERATURE, WE ASK THEM QUESTIONS, IF THEY LEFT THE STATE, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

MICHELLE: THE BARBERSHOP IS LOCATED IN ONE OF THE AREAS HARDEST HIT BY COVID-19 IN RHODE ISLAND.

IT'S AN ADDED STRESS FOR BARBARA ERIC YOUNG.

>> SOME BARBERS WILL CUT ANYBODY'S HAIR.

HEY, COME INTO MY SHOP.

I WON'T DO THAT.

I WOULD RATHER SURVIVE OFF THE PEOPLE I HAVE BEEN CUTTING BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT I DO AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY DO.

MICHELLE: LISA IS THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE RHODE ISLAND BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.

SHE SAYS THE PANDEMIC HAS FURTHER EXPOSED THE LACK OF INVESTMENT WITHIN THE BLACK BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

WHAT STRUCTURES ARE AT PLAY THAT ARE HURTING BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES?

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE LACK OF ACCESS TO CONTRACTS, THE LACK OF ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

MOST OF THE BUSINESSES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR OWN BANKS.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE PAYROLL PROTECTION PROGRAM THAT CAME OUT OF COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS, WE SAW THAT VERY FEW BLACK BUSINESSES WERE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE FUNDS.

MICHELLE: MANY BLACK ENTREPRENEURS HERE IN RHODE ISLAND DID NOT QUALIFY FOR PPP LOANS BECAUSE THE PROGRAM WAS MOSTLY TAILORED TOWARD BUSINESSES WITH LARGE STAFFS.

THE MAJORITY OF BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE STATE ARE SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP'S, MEANING THEY HAVE NO EMPLOYEES.

>> WHEN THE FORMULA IS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES, IT MAKES IT A BARRIER TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF DOLLARS YOU CAN RECEIVE.

MICHELLE: NATIONWIDE, LITTLE PPP FUNDING WENT TO BLACK ENTREPRENEURS.

ACCORDING TO UP REPORT FROM THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK, PPP LOANS REACHED ONLY 20% OF ELIGIBLE FIRMS IN STATES WITH THE HIGHEST DENSITY OF BLACK-OWNED FIRMS.

ADDING INSULT TO INJURY, BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES USUALLY HAVE WEAKER RELATIONSHIPS WITH BANKS THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

>> I THINK WE WERE FORTUNATE BECAUSE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED AT THE BANK WAS ACTUALLY A CUSTOMER, WHO WE DID THEIR WEDDING SO IT WAS HELPFUL TO HAVE SOMEONE YOU KNEW AND YOU TRUSTED TO HELP YOU THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

THAT'S HOW WE WERE ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES.

MICHELLE: NOW, SHE IS LOOKING AT WHAT SHE AND HER HUSBAND NEED TO DO NEXT TO KEEP THEIR BUSINESS GOING.

HAS THE INVENTORY CHANGED?

ARE YOU SAYING PEOPLE ARE NOT WEARING SUITS SO MUCH AS LETTERS ON SWEATPANTS, LET'S PIVOT TO THAT?

>> WE HAVE NOT CHANGED THE INVENTORY AT.

THAT'S MAINLY BECAUSE OF COSTS, RIGHT?

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE MONEY TO PURCHASE THAT INVENTORY AND BEING ABLE TO CLEAR OUT THE EXISTING INVENTORY THAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THAT PIVOT JUST YET BECAUSE OF THE CAPITAL NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE THAT INVENTORY.

I THINK I FOUND MY FAVORITE.

MICHELLE: SHE HAD TO QUICKLY PIVOT HER BUSINESS, PIPER BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY, LAST YEAR.

>> I WAS ON A PHOTOGRAPHY RETREAT IN L.A.

I PHOTOGRAPHED TWO WEDDINGS IN MARCH AND THEN THE WORLD JUST STOPPED.

ALL MY WEDDINGS FRM APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER JUST CANCELED.

MICHELLE: 14 OF THE WEDDING SHE WAS SCHEDULED TO SHOOT LAST YEAR HAD TO BE RESCHEDULED BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

SHE DECIDED TO START TAKING PORTRAITS OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS FOR FREE.

SHE SAID SHE FELT SORRY THAT THEY WERE MISSING OUT ON SO MANY MILESTONES.

>> I DECIDED, YOU KNOW WHAT?

I COULD DO SENIOR PORTRAITS.

I COULD REALLY ENJOY IT.

MICHELLE: DURING THE PANDEMIC, YOU OPENED ANOTHER BUSINESS.

DID YOU THINK YOU ARE CRAZY FOR DOING IT?

>> YEAH, YEAH.

AT THE TIME I WAS BORED.

A LOT OF THINGS COME OUT OF BOREDOM.

I SHOULD REALLY BE SUPERVISED.

MICHELLE: SHE CAN FIND THE HUMOR IN IT NOW.

SHE STARTED PHOTOGRAPHING FOOD DURING THE PANDEMIC TO KEEP HERSELF DIZZY.

>> I CAMERA WAS GATHERING DUST AND IT WAS DRIVING ME NUTS.

I PICKED UP STREET PHOTOGRAPHY, FOOD AND MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY, GETTING ME TO CLICK MY CAMERA AND WORK MY IMAGES AGAIN.

MICHELLE: BUSINESS IS PICKING UP AS COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS LOOSEN, BUT NAVIGATING HER WAY THROUGH THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE CRISIS WAS DAUNTING FOR SALES.

SHE SAYS SHE DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR GRANTS BECAUSE HER BUSINESS WAS NOT PROPERLY SET UP.

>> I WASN'T PAYING MYSELF.

I DIDN'T HAVE A PAYROLL SERVICE THROUGH WHICH I WAS LISTED AS AN EMPLOYEE AND PAYING TOWARDS IT.

WHEN ALL THE GRANTS AND FUNDING STARTED TO ROLL OUT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, I REALIZED TO MY COMPLETE DISMAY THAT I DID NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY OF THOSE GRANTS.

SO AS A RESULT OF THAT, I DID GET A BOOKKEEPER AND I AM TRYING TO WORK THAT OUT NOW.

MICHELLE: WRANGLIN SAYS IT HAS TO DO WITH BUSINESSES AND ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

>> THEY ARE WORKING ON THEIR PERSONAL WEALTH, OR PERSONAL FICA SCORE AND CREDIT WILLINGNESS.

BECAUSE OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WITH CASH FLOW, CASH IN HAND, CASH IN THE BANK, BLACK BUSINESSES DO NOT HAVE STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH BANKS BECAUSE THEY ARE TYPICALLY SCRAPING BY TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

>> OH, THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

THAT'S A VERY GOOD ONE.

MICHELLE: SALES SAYS SHE IS FORTUNATE PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOT HER MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME.

SHE IS ALSO A SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST.

SHE SAYS SHE DID SEE SOME INCREASE IN BUSINESSES AS THE MOVEMENT GAINED MOMENTUM.

>> THEN GEORGE FLOYD HAPPENED AND THE MARCHES HAPPENED.

PEOPLE WHO SAID THEY SUPPORT THESE BUSINESSES TOOK A REALLY LONG, HARD LOOK AT THE VOICES THAT WERE BEING AMPLIFIED.

I'VE HAD A LOT OF COUPLES COME TO ME AND SAY, WE JUST WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE SPREADING OUR MONEYS AROUND.

THROUGH NO OTHER REASON -- I DON'T FEEL LIKE I AM BEING PATRONIZED.

I FEEL LIKE I AM BEING ACKNOWLEDGED, LIKE I AM ACTUALLY BEING SEEN.

ONE OF THE COUPLES GETTING MARRIED THIS YEAR FOUND ME AND SPECIFICALLY SPOKE TO THAT ASPECT.

MICHELLE: THAT SHE WANTED TO PUT HER MONEY WHERE HER VALUES WERE IN SUPPORT OF BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS?

>> YES.

MICHELLE: WRANGLIN SAYS THE STATE NEEDS TO WORK AT INVESTING IN BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES BETTER.

>> WE SEE A REDUCTION IN CRIME.

AN INCREASE IN HOMEOWNERSHIP.

WAGE INCREASES.

UNEMPLOYMENT GOES DOWN.

UNDEREMPLOYMENT GOES DOWN.

IT IS A WIN-WIN ACROSS THE BOARD FOR ALL OF US.

MICHELLE: BACK AT COPA MENSWEAR, AND G HOPES -- ANGIE HOPES PEOPLE CELEBRATE LIKE PEOPLE DID IN THE ROARING 20'S AFTER THE FLU PANDEMIC.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE START THROWING BASHES AGAIN.

WE HAVE INVENTORY AND WILL BE STANDING BY FOR PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME AGAIN.

MICHELLE: AS WE LIFT OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, WE WANTED TO FOLLOW-UP ON ONE OF THE INDUSTRIES THAT HAS BEEN THE MOST DEEPLY AFFECTED BY THE OUTBREAK -- THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

THE RECENT COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE MARKS NEARLY -- TO RESTAURANTS.

SEVERAL HAVE CHOSEN TO HIBERNATE TO CONSERVE COSTS UNTIL RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED, AND RESTAURANT OWNERS RECEIVED SOME GOOD NEWS RECENTLY.

INDOOR TABLES CAN NOW BE SPACED SIX FEET APART AND STARTING MARCH 19, RESTAURANTS CAN INCREASE CAPACITY FROM 66% TO 75%.

BUT AS WE FIRST REPORTED LAST DECEMBER, HOW RESTAURANTS FULLY RECOVER FROM THIS CRISIS IS STILL UNCLEAR.

IT'S A TASTE OF WHAT WAS ONCE NORMAL -- PEOPLE GOING OUT TO DINNER ON FEDERAL HILL.

X WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW SEVERE THINGS WOULD GET.

WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW LONG THE SHUTDOWN WOULD LAST.

MICHELLE: BUT THE MASKED SERVERS GIVE IT AWAY.

THIS IS LIFE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE HAVE TO DO A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT TO CREATE THE ILLUSION THAT THINGS ARE BACK TO NORMAL, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WANT AND RESTAURANTS.

MICHELLE: IT'S FAR FROM BUSINESS AS USUAL.

THERE IS A 14% DROP IN MEAL AND BEVERAGE REVENUE COLLECTED IN AUGUST THEN IN THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.

THE RESTAURANT WORKFORCE DROPPED BY 9% FROM FEBRUARY TO AUGUST AND THE LOOMING COLD MONTHS AHEAD LOOK RIM FOR BUSINESS -- LOOK GRIM FOR BUSINESSES THAT RELY ON OUTDOOR DINING.

HOW DIRE WOULD YOU SAY THE SITUATION IS FOR RESTAURANTS?

>> I GET A LITTLE EMOTIONAL.

IT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC.

MICHELLE: BUT THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE RHODE ISLAND HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION IS CHOOSING TO BE HOPEFUL.

SHE SAYS THAT PEOPLE WHO WORK IN RESTAURANTS ARE RESILIENT.

>> LET ME TELL YOU, THEY DON'T WANT TO BE TOLD THAT THEY ARE GOING TO FAIL.

THEY ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY SUCCEED AND DO IT WITH A SMILE ON THEIR FACE.

MICHELLE: THAT IS WHAT YOU WILL FIND EVE DOING AT GARDEN OF EVE IN PROVIDENCE, SERVING UP HER FAMOUS CARIBBEAN CUISINE.

>> THERE WAS THIS LITTLE GIRL WHO LEFT HAITI AND HAD A DREAM IN HER HEAD THAT NEVER LEFT ME.

EVERYBODY KNEW ME, KNEW THAT I WAS GOING TO ALWAYS OPEN A RESTAURANT.

MICHELLE: GARDEN OF EVE IS A TINY RESTAURANT.

ONLY ONE CUSTOMER IS ALLOWED INSIDE AT A TIME.

THERE IS A LARGE OUTDOOR PATIO, BUT SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY HEAT LAMPS.

RIGHT NOW, BUSINESS IS ALL TAKEOUT.

>> WE DON'T HAVE THE CASH FLOW THAT OTHER BUSINESSES HAD, BECAUSE THEY HAD PPP AND EMPLOYEES, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE EMPLOYEES LIKE THAT.

MICHELLE: SHE RUNS THE RESTAURANT WITH HER HUSBAND AND OLDEST SON.

SHE SAYS BEING ENTIRELY FAMILY-RUN IS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.

IS THAT WHY YOU BEEN ABLE TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN DURING THE PANDEMIC?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE BEEN HUSTLING SINCE WE OPENED THE DOOR.

WE DID NOT HAVE 10 PEOPLE, 12 PEOPLE WORKING FOR US THAT WE HAD TO LAYOFF.

MICHELLE: THAT'S NOT THE STORY HERE.

SAM GLENN WAS GETTING READY TO OPEN THE RESTAURANT IN FOX POINT NEIGHBORHOOD IN MARCH WHEN GINA RAIMONDO ORDERED ALL RESTAURANTS TO STOP INDOOR DINING ON MARCH 17.

MICHELLE: WHAT WAS THAT CONVERSATION LIGHT, WHEN YOU TOLD THEM THEY HAD TO BE LAID OFF?

>> IF YOU HAD TO GET DRAMATIC ABOUT IT, THE TIMING COULD NOT HAVE BEEN WORSE.

WE TOLD EVERYONE TO GET UNEMPLOYMENT TURNS AS SOON AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE, BECAUSE THE QUEUE WAS GOING TO BE OVERRUN.

A LOT OF FOLKS GOT IT PRETTY QUICKLY.

MICHELLE: CUSTOMERS CAME TO LOVE THEIR SIGNATURE BURGERS WHEN THE FIRST LOCATION OPENED IN 2013.

THAT NAME RECOGNITION HAS PAID OFF THIS YEAR.

>> IS EASIER THAN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO OPEN UP A RESTAURANT THAT NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT YOU, SO WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE.

MICHELLE: FORTUNATE, AT AROUND THE TIME WHEN THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING IS GOING UP.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION, 50% OF RESTAURANTS IN THE STATE SAY THEIR TOTAL OPERATIONAL COSTS ARE HIGHER THAN THEY WERE PRIOR TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK.

>> IT'S ANOTHER HIT TO THE BOTTOM LINE OF EVERY RESTAURANT THAT HAS TO BUY PIXIE GLASS -- PLEXIGLAS, FILTERS FOR THEIR HVAC SYSTEM TO FILTER PARTICLES FILTERED.

MICHELLE: STUDIES BY THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL THAT ADULTS WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 WERE TWICE AS LIKELY TO HAVE REPORTED DINING AT A RESTAURANT THEN THOSE WHO TESTED NEGATIVE.

MICHELLE: EATING INSIDE THIS 18 SEAT RESTAURANT DID NOT FEEL SAFE TO HIM AND HIS STAFF.

A FEW MONTHS AGO, HE ANNOUNCED HE WAS CLOSING BIRCH ON WASHINGTON STREET.

>> WALKED ME THROUGH HOW YOU CAME TO THAT DECISION.

>> IT WAS A DECISION THAT WAS COMPLETELY LAID OUT FOR ME.

DINING RESTRICTIONS, RISING CASE NUMBERS.

MICHELLE: THE OUTDOOR PATIO IS NOW GONE.

THERE WASN'T ENOUGH TO KEEP BIRCH OPEN.

NEITHER WAS TAKEOUT OR A GRANT FROM RESTORE RHODE ISLAND.

>> BIRCH WAS A RESTAURANT THAT WAS VERY INTO MINT.

-- INTIMATE.

THE CHEFS CAME OUT AND EXPLAINED THE DISHES TO, SO YOU WOULD BE LESS THAN TWO FEET AWAY FROM THE CHEF AT THE TIME, TALKING TO YOU ABOUT WHAT THESE DISHES ARE.

TO TAKE THAT ELEMENT AWAY WOULD BE LOGISTICALLY ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, BUT ALSO IT WOULD TAKE AWAY FROM WHAT THIS PLACE WAS.

MICHELLE: IT WAS THE KIND OF PLACE WHERE GUESTS COULD ENJOY AFFORDABLE FINE DINING.

A JAMES BEARD NOMINATED CHEF, HE WORKED WITH LOCAL FARMERS AND FISHERMEN TO SCORE HIGH QUALITY INGREDIENTS.

BUT ON OCTOBER 19, BIRCH CLOSED FOR GOOD.

>> RESTAURANTS ARE BEING FORCED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE HEALTH OF THEIR STAFF VERSUS MAKING A DOLLAR, AND TO ME THAT IT IS A DECISION THAT SHOULD NOT BE UP TO US.

IF WE WOULD MET WITH FOLLOWING SCIENCE, SHUTDOWNS, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH ALL OF THAT, THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO CHOOSE.

THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF UPSET PEOPLE WITH THE FACT THAT THEY COULD NOT OPEN THEIR DOORS, BUT THERE WOULD BE FAR LESS DEATHS AND POSITIVE CASES.

WE WOULD HAVE HAD A PROPER LABOR DAY, WE WOULD HAVE HAD THANKSGIVING THIS YEAR IF WE WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED THE SIGNS.

MICHELLE: HIS OTHER RESTAURANT, OBERLIN, REMAINS OPEN.

BIRCH IS ONE OF A GROWING LIST OF RESTAURANTS THAT HAVE CLOSED IN RHODE ISLAND.

SO FAR, NEARLY 20 ARE ON THAT LIST.

>> I DO EXPECT IT TO GO UP.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON WHAT HAPPENS AFTER ALL OF THE CURRENT LIMITATIONS AND WHETHER WE CAN GET SOME FUNDING INTO THE RESTAURANTS TO KEEP THEM ALIVE.

IT'S A HARD ANSWER.

THE NICE THING ABOUT RHODE ISLAND IS WHAT WE HAVE FOUND, RHODE ISLAND CARES ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE A COMMUNITY, AND THEY ARE SUPPORTING US.

MICHELLE: SUPPORTING PLACES LIKE THIS STAPLE ON FEDERAL HILL SINCE 1914.

>> THIS ISN'T EVEN OUR FIRST PANDEMIC.

WE WERE HERE FOR THE PANDEMIC OF 1918.

MICHELLE: BUT DINING AT THIS ITALIAN LANDMARK HAS NEVER LOOKS LIKE THIS.

>> FURTHER IN, WE HAVE PLEXIGLAS DIVIDERS.

THESE HELP GROUPS STAY SEPARATE FROM ONE ANOTHER, SO WE DON'T JUST DISTANCE THEM, THERE IS ACTUALLY A NONPOROUS BARRIER.

MICHELLE: CAMILLE'S HAS THE BENEFIT OF SPACE -- LOTS OF IT.

IT HAS THREE DINING ROOMS AND AN OUTDOOR PATIO.

>> HOW DOES A FINE DINING RESTAURANT, WHERE SO MUCH OF THE EXPERIENCES BEING HERE AT THE RESTAURANT, HOW DOES A RESTAURANT LIKE THIS SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC?

>> THE PHONE IS RINGING, SO AGAIN, WE ARE ALLOWED LESS SEATING, BUT WE ARE GETTING ENOUGH SEATING.

FIXED COSTS DON'T CHANGE, BUT BETWEEN HAVING A SMALLER STAFF TO KEEP THE PAYROLL DOWN, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF LOGISTICS.

MICHELLE: THE GENERAL MANAGER, GEORGE KILBORN, SAYS HE HAS HAD TO TURN CUSTOMERS AWAY ON SATURDAY NIGHTS BECAUSE THEY ARE BOOKED.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FOLKS WHO ARE WATCHING THIS AND SAYING GEORGE, I HAVE BARELY LEFT MY HOUSE THROUGH THIS WHOLE PERIOD.

WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW ABOUT EATING OUT?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE DOING IT.

FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT COMFORTABLE YET, COME OUT DURING THE WEEK.

THE RESTAURANT IS A LOT EMPTIER THAN IT IS ON A SATURDAY.

MICHELLE: GOING THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC, HAVE YOU FELT SAFE WORKING AT A RESTAURANT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK EVERYONE TAKES THE GUIDELINES VERY SERIOUSLY, SO THERE ARE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS, BUT I THINK WE HAVE ALL FELT SAFE FROM DAY ONE.

MICHELLE: AT GARDEN OF EVE, EVE AND HER FAMILY SAY THEY ALSO FEEL SAFE.

>> YOU TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS.

YOU WASH YOUR HANDS AND WEAR YOUR MASK I DON'T SEE WHY NOT.

MICHELLE: BUT AS THE WINTER TAKES A FOOTHOLD ON NEW ENGLAND, THE QUESTION MAY BE LESS ABOUT SAFETY AND MORE ABOUT COMFORT.

>> THE QUESTION IS IF PEOPLE ARE STILL GOING TO COME OUT.

IF YOU HAVE A TENT, HEATERS, BLANKETS, THOSE HELP, BUT WHAT'S GOING TO BE FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR?

DO THEY WANT TO SIT OUTSIDE IN 40 DEGREE WEATHER?

OR DO THEY JUST WANT TAKEOUT?

MICHELLE: IT'S THAT UNCERTAINTY THAT IS MAKING IT HARD FOR RESTAURANTS TO STAY AFLOAT.

>> I'M NOT ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE INDUSTRY, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT OUR EMPLOYEES.

ESPECIALLY COMING INTO THE HOLIDAYS, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE, I DON'T GET INTO PEOPLE'S LIVES, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE'S UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS HAVE RUN OUT.

MICHELLE: EVEN THOUGH SHE DOES NOT EXPECT TO TURN A PROFIT THIS YEAR, SHE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR AND RELOCATING HER RESTAURANT TO A BIGGER SPACE.

>> OPERATING A RESTAURANT IN 2020 IS CHALLENGING, BUT KEEP LOOKING FORWARD.

WHEN IT RAINS, IT DOESN'T RAIN FOREVER.

MICHELLE: SINCE WE LAST MET THESE RESTAURANT OWNERS, MANY TELL US THAT THEY ARE EAGER FOR THE WEATHER TO WARM UP SO CUSTOMERS CAN EAT OUTSIDE ON THE PATIO.

RIGHT NOW, BUSINESS IS ALL TAKEOUT.

AT CHOMP KITCHEN AND DRINKS, THE OWNER SAYS HIS BUSINESS IS EVENLY SPLIT BETWEEN INDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT.

AND THAT CAMILLE'S ON FEDERAL HILL, JORDAN ROLE -- GENERAL MANAGER GEORGE KILBORN SAYS THE RESTAURANT IS STILL BUSY ON WEEKENDS, BUT REMAINS SLOW ON WEEKDAYS BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT TRAVELING FOR BUSINESS RIGHT NOW.

TONIGHT, PART TWO OF OUR CONTINUING SERIES, KIDS WANT TO KNOW.

NOT LONG AFTER THE PANDEMIC SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING, WE HERE AT RHODE ISLAND PBS STARTED THIS SERIES.

WE BEGAN WITH SCHOOLCHILDREN ASKING DOCTORS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PANDEMIC.

ONCE AGAIN, WE REVISIT SOME OF THOSE ORIGINAL QUESTIONS AND HAVE THE DOCTORS WHO INITIALLY ANSWERED THEM RESPOND.

>> WHAT ARE DOCTORS AND NURSES DOING TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND PATIENTS FROM COVID-19?

>> IT'S BEEN A LONG YEAR, TRUTHFULLY, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TIRED.

WE'VE BEEN REALLY WORKING OUR HARDEST, MOST OF US HAVE PUT IN A LOT OF HOURS AND HAVE REALLY TRIED TO CONSIDER WHAT'S THE BEST FOR OUR PATIENTS AND THE BEST FOR OUR FAMILIES.

WE ARE HOPEFUL BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN GETTING VACCINATED AND VACCINES ARE BECOMING AVAILABLE AND WE ARE SEEING A GREAT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE REALLY EMBRACING THE VACCINE.

THAT MAKES US ALL FEEL MUCH BETTER, BECAUSE WE KNOW WE ARE SAFE, OUR FAMILIES ARE SAFE, AND THE PEOPLE WE TAKE CARE OF OUR SAFE.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL, SUNNY DAY AS I TALK TO YOU HERE AND I AM REALLY HOPEFUL.

>> I AM NINE YEARS OLD AND MY QUESTION ABOUT COVID-19 IS, HOW ARE THE DOCTORS GOING TO STOP COVID-19?

>> I SO WISH I COULD TELL YOU WE COULD GET RID OF COVID FOREVER AND IT WOULD NEVER, EVER COME BACK.

HOWEVER, COVID WILL CONTINUE TO BE HERE PROBABLY FOR MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS.

BUT NOW, THE WONDERFUL NEWS IS WE HAVE VACCINES, AND THAT'S HOW DOCTORS ARE GOING TO GET RID OF COVID IN TERMS OF PEOPLE GETTING SICK FROM COVID.

SO YOU NEED TO TELL THE ADULTS RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE ONES GETTING VACCINATED AT THIS TIME, TELL YOUR GRANDPARENTS, YOUR PARENTS, YOUR TEACHERS, EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO GET A VACCINE.

MICHELLE: OUR THANKS TO THE STUDENTS AND DOCTORS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS SERIES.

YOUR ORIGINAL SERIES CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE AT THE LINK ON YOUR SCREEN BELOW.

FINALLY, IN CELEBRATION OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, WE BEGIN A SERIES OF SNAPSHOTS RECOGNIZING WOMEN WHO HAVE MADE AND ARE MAKING HISTORY HERE IN NEW ENGLAND.

I'M MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND PLEASE STAY SAFE.

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