As the Covid-19 pandemic rages on and restaurants grapple with capacity restrictions and safety protocols, the operators of a revamped NoDa spot had to skip the grand-opening party they'd envisioned. Nevertheless, Roy's Kitchen & Patio has started serving up its island fare and vacation vibes, according to a profile by local alternative newspaper Queen City Nerve.
The venture replaces Mangos Caribbean Restaurant at 3112 N. Davidson St., in the heart of the NoDa neighborhood.
QC Nerve reports Roy Grant, Mangos' owner, is still involved. He's joined by several partners, including former consultant Courtney Nesmith, who is tapping into his background to build upon that former concept. That includes improving consistency in food and drinks and lining up DJs and other programming for the newly built patio — as soon as the Covid-19 situation allows.
“We want people to be comfortable and safe and not even give people the chance to make our restaurant look like we’re not trying to adhere to the suggestions from the CDC and health department,” Nesmith told the newspaper.
The menu at Roy's features flavors from Grant's native Jamaica as well as the Puerto Rican heritage of executive chef Richelle Espinosa, according to the report. The restaurant's Instagram page says it opens at 4 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends.
In other local news:
Questions continue to swirl around the opening of schools in the area, according to CBJ news partner WSOC-TV, which has compiled an FAQ list with some answers. That's after Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools voted earlier this week to have two weeks of in-person, socially distanced orientation before switching to remote learning for an undetermined amount of time. WFAE-FM reports that, if the all-virtual setup extends well into the new school year, which begins Aug. 17, some 21,000 jobs could be at risk. School districts throughout the Carolinas are finalizing plans for classes to resume after the governors of both states gave directives this week.
Grocers Harris Teeter and Publix, both among the favorites of local shoppers, are among the growing number of retailers enacting mask requirements and vowing to enforce local government mandates for face coverings. Others include Target, CVS, Kohl's and Walmart. In addition, the National Retail Federation reportedly is calling for a nationwide mask policy. The push from businesses comes as elected officials and health experts have pleaded for people to wear masks in public in an effort to limit the spread of Covid-19. Despite that, the issue has become oddly polarized, and, as a map laid out by The New York Times illustrates, mask use remains hit-or-miss across the nation.
The Charlotte Observer reports one of the few remaining full-service gas stations in the region is disappearing. Queen's Crown Automotive in Myers Park is expected to close for good by the end of the month, capping a nearly 50-year run. The station ran out of fuel this week. The site is set to become home to a Fifth Third bank branch, pending a rezoning vote by Charlotte City Council, according to the daily newspaper.
And The Wall Street Journal has a report that goes inside the strategy behind American Airlines Group Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAL) decision to go all in on returning to a fuller flight schedule. The carrier has its second-largest hub at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Here are some of CBJ's latest stories on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic:
Find all of CBJ's coronavirus coverage here.
Yesterday's top-read story on the CBJ website: What's different about Grubb Properties' next apartment project in gold District
In the national news:
- Coronavirus live updates: U.S. shatters single-day caseload; deaths are now rising, too — The New York Times
- Mask rules expand across the U.S. as clashes over the mandates intensify — The Times
- For owners of century-old businesses, shutting down brings a special pain — The Times
- Exclusive: Wirecard woe spreads as banks try to exit loans — WSJ
- On eve of bankruptcy, U.S. firms shower execs with bonuses — Reuters
- Stock market live updates: Futures up a bit, Netflix down 8%, bad week for tech — CNBC
Sports:
The Carolina Panthers are offering permanent seat license, or PSL, owners the flexibility to opt out of the upcoming season without penalty as the team maps out how social distancing might be achieved in Bank of America Stadium.
And Washington's NFL team reportedly has retained a law firm as it faces an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment brought forward by female former staff members.
This week and beyond:
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues and CBJ's signature in-person events remain on hold, we have started lining up virtual events. Find more details and sign up here.