The coronavirus pandemic has forced millions of the worlds poorest children to halt their educations and go to work to help support their families, as schools have closed and parents incomes have fallen or vanished.

The children do work that is arduous, dirty and often dangerous: hauling bricks or gravel, scavenging for recyclables, begging or chopping weeds on plantations. Much of their employment is illegal.

It is a catastrophic shift for some of the worlds most vulnerable people, undoing years of gains for education and against child labor, and undermining their prospects of climbing out of poverty. Countless promising students have had their educations cut short, and it remains unclear when schools will reopen. But even when they do, many of the children are unlikely to go back to the classroom.

Here are some key findings of a New York Times report on conditions for these poor children.

Former pupils have been forced into heavy manual labor on construction or demolition sites, picking through garbage, doing sex work, mining for sand or working in factories making cigarettes or fireworks.

The jobs carry risks of injury, or worse, and the hazards are especially acute for children more so when they lack protective equipment, or even shoes. In the Indian city of Tumakuru, an 11-year-old boy, Rahul, set out barefoot with his father on a recent morning to scavenge for recyclables at a waste dump.

India has the worlds largest school-age population and the fastest-growing number of coronavirus cases. The countrys laws prohibit anyone under 14 from working in most circumstances, but its poverty means that it had a large market in illegal child labor even before the pandemic.

With the problem growing and the government disrupted by the virus, enforcement is even less able to keep up.

The rise in child labor also compounds other threats to children resulting from the global recession. Hunger now threatens far more people in many parts of the world than it did a year ago. There have also been increases in forced marriages, teenage pregnancy and child trafficking.

Millions of children are unlikely to return to school.

The longer children stay out of school, and the more desperate their family circumstances, the less likely they are to go back. The United Nations estimates that 24 million children have dropped out for good because of the pandemic.

With school closings around the world affecting well over one billion children, many of them can continue to learn online or at home. But hundreds of millions come from the poorest families, with no access to computers, the internet or tutors.

It grows harder to return to school as the children age and their families become dependent on their earnings and no one knows yet if that dependence will last for months or years.

I fear that even if school reopens, I will have to keep doing this, because of the familys debt, said Mumtaz, a 12-year-old boy in Bihar State in India, who now works carrying heavy loads of gravel.

Reluctant parents say the only alternative to putting their children to work is for the families to go hungry.

With hundreds of millions of people worldwide out of work, the law of supply and demand makes for some cruel math. Struggling businesses take advantage of the glut of labor, driving down wages for those who still have jobs.

As families grow poorer, children enter the work force, magnifying the labor surplus. And unscrupulous employers flout labor laws, hiring children who often work for pennies.

A labor contractor in West Bengal in India said parents had asked him to find work for children as young as 8, who looked like they were being prepared to be thrown into a fire.

Around the world, poverty had been declining for decades, particularly in Asia, allowing more and more children to remain in school. The pandemic has reversed those trends.

Many of the students forced from the classroom and into work were doing well academically, fueling dreams of better futures. Those dreams are now in peril.

Rahul, the 11-year-old boy in Tumakuru, wants to be a doctor, and his teacher says he is bright enough to attain that goal. But the longer he is out of school, the more remote it becomes.

The focus in India and many other countries has been on reopening businesses to restart the economy, but childrens advocates say it is shortsighted to open bars, restaurants and transit systems while keeping schools closed.

More:
The Rise of Child Labor in the Coronavirus Pandemic - The New York Times

The Glass Fire erupted on September 27 and has moved rapidly across northern Napa Valley, burning structures at some of the regions most celebrated wineries. The Chronicles wine critic Esther Mobley is on the ground and talking to locals this week to track how vineyards and wineries have fared. Already, destruction to the local wine industry far exceeds that of the 2017 fires, when six wineries saw structures damaged or destroyed.

Heres a list of the wineries that have been confirmed to have sustained damage so far. Well be updating the list as we learn more. There are also wineries rumored to be destroyed but are OK, including Chardonnay favorite Rombauer Vineyards. See which ones survived here.

Behrens Family Winery: This boutique winery on Spring Mountain lost two buildings, including its main winery that burned to the ground. Others, like the tasting room, are OK.

Burgess Cellars: The barrel warehouse and the original winery built in the 1880s have both burned, confirms CEO Carlton McCoy. The tasting room and house remain intact.

Castello di Amorosa: A farmhouse at this favorite tourist destination was lost. It contained all of the companys wine inventory, said vice president Jim Sullivan, though the castle itself an ambitious construction modeled on a medieval castle survived.

Chateau Boswell: The main building, built from hand-quarried stone, was destroyed late Sunday night. Only the stone facade remains; a collection of wines dating back to 1979 was destroyed.

Fairwinds Estate Winery: Buildings appear to have been leveled, but the winery owner did not respond to requests for comment.

Hourglass Winery: The winery facility and a 162-year-old guest house were demolished, owner Jeff Smith said. An underground cave containing barrels of aging wine likely survived.

Hunnicutt Wines: A house on the property used for offices and the winerys crushpad, which includes much of its winemaking equipment, were devastated, though the winery building itself is OK, said owner Justin Stephens.

Newton Vineyard: This winery, owned by luxury conglomerate Mot Hennessy Louis Vuitton, has been significantly impacted by the Glass Fire, confirmed general manager Jean-Baptiste Rivail.

Sherwin Family Vineyards: This Spring Mountain winery, which Steve and Linda Sherwin started in 1996, has burned, according to an email from the company.

Spring Mountain Vineyard: The vineyard managers home on the property was destroyed, and the vineyard itself experienced serious damage, confirms vice president of sales and marketing Dermot Whelan. Two other buildings, including an 1873 La Perla winery, were also lost. But the main winery and the historic Miravelle Mansion in part known for its appearance on 80s drama Falcon Crest were spared.

Sterling Vineyards: The main winery appeared safe, but Chronicle photographs show that equipment on the outdoor crushpad was charred, and another building may have sustained some damage.

Tofanelli Vineyards: A 120-year-old barn and a family home, which was not currently occupied by residents, burned.

Esther Mobley is The San Francisco Chronicles wine critic. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com

See the original post here:
A running list of Napa Valley wineries that have been damaged or destroyed in the 2020 Glass Fire - San Francisco Chronicle

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The Grand Rapids area started off 2020 strong, with dozens of developments planned to open within a year. Then the perfect storm hit, throwing the market into chaos.

A lot has changed in the six months since Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered widespread shutdowns of businesses to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Scroll down to find out how 20 projects have fared since then.

>>DESKTOP USERS ONLY: Click on the flags in the map below to jump to each business featured in the story. (Map not supported on mobile versions of website.)

The coming soon banner has disappeared from the guardrail outside Ambiance GR Kitchen & Lounge, but the promise is still there.

Team Ambiance says it has invested $1 million gutting a 5,043-square-foot space in the Ledyard Building at the corner of Pearl Street and Ottawa Avenue and transforming it into an open modern lounge space with a wraparound banquette.

Demolition at the former Raggs to Riches site began in June 2019. Problems uncovered in the historic building created delays, pushing back the anticipated opening date by months. Then the pandemic set in and a riot erupted downtown, causing minor damage to the business.

In an Aug. 26 update posted on Facebook, the owners of Ambiance GR Kitchen & Lounge said the project is 90% complete.

We plan on opening Ambiance Kitchen & Lounge when it is safe & advantageous for restaurants, bars & events/nightlife to operate at a lucrative capacity again & when we are able to serve our beautiful community in the way you deserve, Team Ambiance stated in the post.

The owners say when work is complete, Ambiance GR will be the only Black-owned full service bar and restaurant in downtown Grand Rapids.

The answer to calls for a brick-and-mortar version of the El Caribe food truck, Art Caribbean Fusion Cuisine opened July 10 after months of delays.

Owner Gilma De La Cruz says that at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the health department temporarily halted all restaurant inspections. The pandemic also posed challenges in creating the menu she wanted because of food prices and securing the hand sanitizer dispensers the restaurant needed.

Art Caribbean Fusion Cuisine showcases food and art from the Dominican Republic, where De La Cruz grew up. He restaurant has been collaborating with House of Wine next door to create food and wine pairings.

Art Caribbean Fusions indoor dining is open at limited capacity. Takeout orders can also be enjoyed in the social zone right outside the business.

The restaurant is located in the deli side of the former Grand Central Market, which closed in January. The other half of Grand Central Market shut down six months later.

El Caribe food truck also continues to operate in the area.

Arvon Brewing Co.s first taproom began welcoming beer loyalists on Feb. 21, but closed about three weeks later under state directives meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.

During the roughly three months the Grand Rapids taproom was closed, Arvon Brewing Co. shifted to selling beer curbside and by delivery.

Co-owner Brett Bristol says the newly expanded Arvon Brewing Co. didnt qualify for much help from resources like the Paycheck Protection Program because funding is based on 2019 finances and staffing, when Arvon Brewing Co. was operating out of a 700-square-foot production facility in Grandville with fewer employees.

Nevertheless, between expanded weekly delivery statewide and sold out releases, Bristol says production has jumped about 50% since March.

All-in-all, we are doing well. Our team is incredibly resilient and like everything else has handled the pandemic with the best attitude and willingness to do whatever it takes to survive and thrive. Our fans are as amazing as they come. We couldnt be more grateful, there is no question that we wouldnt have made it without their support and our awesome team, Brett Bristol wrote to News 8 in late August.

Guests can reserve a seat in the taproom online. Walk-ins are also welcome as capacity restrictions allow. Outdoor patio seating is also available.

The pandemic pushed the opening for Studio Parks $50 million hotel from June to Sept. 8.

COVID-19 also changed how Canopy by Hilton operates. In addition to mandatory mask usage, extra hand sanitizer dispensers and traditional cleaning procedures, the team at Canopy by Hilton sanitizes each hotel room, sealing the door when finished.

The eight-story hotel at the corner of Ionia Avenue and Oakes Street SW took more than two years to build. It includes 155 hotel rooms, a fitness center, a ground-floor restaurant called Portico and Knoop, which owner and operator Lodgco Hospitality says is the largest rooftop restaurant in Grand Rapids.

Guest rooms at the dog-friendly hotel range from $150 to over $300 a night.

This is the 23rd Canopy by Hilton location worldwide and the first of its kind in Michigan. The next closest location is more than 300 miles away in Columbus, Ohio.

The one-room studio located in Grand Rapids Studio Park development opened in early January but was forced to close about three months later under an executive order aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.

Fitness centers were poised to reopen on June 25 after a judge ruled in their favor, but their hopes were dashed by an eleventh-hour ruling from the Michigans appeals court. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer finally cleared the way for reopening on Sept. 9, with restrictions.

Funky Buddha Yoga Hothouse plans to transition from the online and outdoor classes it began holding in July to indoor sessions starting Oct. 1

We are excited to open, but want to insure that we are doing so responsibly, the business added in its Sept. 4 announcement on Facebook.

The yoga studio says when it reopens next month, classes will be limited to 25% capacity, masks must be worn at all times, everyone must practice social distancing and pre-registration is required.

At full capacity, the studio near the corner of Ionia Avenue and Oakes Street SW fits about 50 students.

Owners Nadia and Shatawn Brigham originally hoped to open their wine and jazz bar in April, which is National Jazz Appreciation Month. But the pandemic had other plans.

Construction on GRNoir finally got underway in early August. The owners said if all goes well, the work should be finished in 90 days.

GRNoirs alcohol license request cleared city hurdles and is now in the hands of state regulators for assessment. Co-owner Shatawn Brigham says the team is currently focused on the digital and retail sides of the business.

GRNoir is located at the corner of Division Avenue and Weston Street SE, which sat empty for several years. The new space will host live jazz performances.

The Brighams are focused on providing a meeting space for minority professionals and support for Black winemakers, whom they say account for less than 2% of the industry. Eventually, the owners want to label their own wines.

Our wine offerings will be amazing, and no matter where you find yourself on the spectrum of experience with wine, GRNoir will have just what you need, Shatawn Brigham told News 8.

The dozens of individuals and families at the top of the Inner City Christian Federations waiting list for affordable housing will have to wait a little longer than initially planned to move into this new development.

The $23 million project will transform the former Grand Rapids Christian High School into ICCFs new headquarters, a new campus for Madison Churchs Fulton campus, an early childhood education center, common areas and 41 affordable housing units in southeast Grand Rapids.

Joanna DeMoor-Tannor with Madison Church says several organizations are collaborating on the project and how the space will be used.

Michelle Covington with the ICCF says construction on the development stalled in mid-March for about 45 days until Gov. Gretchen Whitmer deemed it essential work because of the homes it will provide.

Covington says workers are currently adding finishes to the upper floor apartments, dry wall to the third floor and working on the buildings exterior, which includes restoring some elements of the historic fascade. The project also includes adding a parking lot on nearby Morris Street.

Madison Church is expected to announce the early childhood education provider in September.

Covington says the renovations were made possible by a $9.5 million low income housing tax credit, a $1.9 million historic tax credit, about $250,000 from the city of Grand Rapids home fund as well as donations from the community. DeMoor-Tannor says Madison Church has collected about $3 million of the $4.9 million it needs for its portion of the project.

A local developer donated the long-vacant building at 415 Franklin St. SE to Madison Square Church in 2015, which partnered with ICCF to utilize the space.

DeMoor-Tannor says if all goes well, the project should wrap up in February 2021.

Owner David Ringler says the pandemic and consequent shutdowns brought work on the German beer hall to a screeching halt.

Ringler, who also owns Cedar Springs Brewing Company, had hoped to open Ksterer Brauhaus in July or August before the pandemic changed plans. Now hes aiming for a 2021 opening.

Named for German immigrant and late brewery owner Christoph Kusterer, Ksterer Brauhaus will include a three-barrel brewery producing signature Ksterer Bier, Bavarian beers and Cedar Springs brews.

Restaurant owners Elizabeth and Andy Rosario planned to transform the longtime home of J. Gardellas Tavern into a three-floor lounge-style restaurant with a menu focused on Argentinian cuts of meat. Then COVID-19 reached West Michigan and the market changed.

Elizabeth Rosario said the uncertainty for downtown business played a role in their decision to withdraw from the deal.

This was a very tough decision as we were extremely excited about proceeding with this venture, she wrote in June, adding that she hoped for a brighter future for all small businesses.

A representative for the real estate firm working with the current owners of J. Gardellas says the business is in discussions with a new potential buyer of the building, which is one of the oldest storefronts in a historic district of Grand Rapids.

Before COVID-19, developers planned to finish this 87-town house development by late June. Add in the shutdowns and delays prompted by coronavirus, and construction crews are now on track to finish the project by November.

Located just east of Medical Mile in Grand Rapids Michigan Oaks neighborhood, Michigan Meadows features 23 buildings and 6 acres of woods.

Jason Wheeler with Pure Real Estate Management says contractors have completed installing streets, sidewalks, street lights, landscaping, driveways and building about 70 of the upscale units, which cost a minimum of $1,795 a month to rent.

PURE Real Estate Management began leasing the two and three-bedroom town homes shortly after the first building was complete. Wheeler says 60 units are already occupied and the remaining 10 are leased for future remote move-ins, which uses a key lockbox to curb the number of people in the unit on moving day.

The plan to convert three floors of The Morton downtown into extended stay hotel rooms also hit a roadblock during the pandemic. The projects targeted opening date for this year has now been pushed back to 2021.

Once the transformation is complete, 32 of the buildings 85 units will be high-end hotel rooms.

The Mortons owners believe revamping the buildings empty apartments and condominiums into boutique hotel rooms will help eliminate vacancies and make the ground floor commercial space more marketable.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation signed off on the project in December.

First came the craft sodas, then the poke bowls.

High Tide Soda opened in late December but celebrated its official grand opening in February when Pinktail Poke served up its first bowl.

Both businesses are owned by Jeff Butzow, who also operates Fish Lads and Carvers at Downtown Market Grand Rapids.

COVID-19 has trimmed traffic through the Downtown Market, prompting the venue to alter its business hours.

However, the pandemic hasnt changed the grab-and-go business model at Pinktail Poke and High Tide Soda, which is also available for delivery through Uber Eats.

Planet Fitness newest location was supposed to open in late spring, then a hotly contested executive order came down, closing fitness centers for nearly six months. Add to that a roughly two-month pause in construction work because of the pandemic and its still unclear when the gym will open.

PF Michigan Group is leasing a 24,797-square-foot space in the mixed-use development dubbed 234 Market. The building also includes apartments and a smaller commercial space.

Like other Planet Fitness locations, the gym includes cardio and strength machines and the PF Black Card lounge featuring tanning, hydromassage and massage chairs.

Planet Fitness plans to offer special deals on memberships before and around the facilitys grand opening.

People in love with Schaefer Cider Companys line of hard ciders can soon savor one while enjoying views of Fuller Park.

Pux Ciders Grand Rapids tasting room was expected to open in the first fiscal quarter before 2020 went off the rails.

Despite delays, the building looks starkly different than it did nine months ago. Outside, the owners have repainted the brick, removed the awning and replaced the ramp with a new concrete front patio. Inside, theyve painted and added drywall, lighting, a bar and other fixtures. The plans also call for a retail area inside.

If all goes well, the Schaefer family plans to open Pux Cider Taphouse next to The Cheese Lady shop in a few weeks.

Developers of this 146-room hotel had set their sights on a Sept. 1 opening. That date came and went with plenty of work still left to do, thanks to pandemic-prompted delays.

In June, the Downtown Development Authority agreed to change its funding support agreement to ease the blow of the Residence Inns roughly $2 million loss from the delayed opening.

Andrew White, general manager for the Residence Inn in downtown Grand Rapids, says construction delays have pushed the opening date for the 13-story hotel to this winter.

The 5,555-square-foot triangular building at the corner of Ionia Avenue SW and Fulton Street will include a ground floor for businesses and a walkway over Louis Street that connects the hotel to an existing parking ramp.

Speciation Artisan Ales opened its first taproom July 31 in Grand Rapids Eastown neighborhood.

The business is set back from Wealthy Street, nestled between buildings. Its white, minimalist walls are set off by a mural of living petoskeys over the bar area. Barrels and brewing equipment line the west wall of the building.

Co-owner Mitch Ermatinger says COVID-19 sped up plans to add a new air exchange to the century-old building. The pandemic also pushed the business to turn its parking lot into a dog-friendly patio to help compensate for half-capacity seating inside.

In mid-August, Speciation Cellars brought back a popular vinyl record-playing event, albeit by reservation only.

The new taprooms drink menu is available online. Outside food is allowed since Speciation Cellars has no kitchen.

Speciation Artisan Ales continues to sell its beer and wine for delivery or curbside pickup a business method that sustained the brewery during the pandemic shutdown.

People itching for Southern fare from the first Tupelo Honey restaurant in the Great Lakes region are finally getting their wish.

Executive chef Eric Gabrynowicz says the restaurant at the corner of Pearl Street and Ottawa Avenue NW was 80% complete with pandemic restrictions set in, temporarily stalling construction and making its planned spring opening impossible.

By early September, crews were putting the finishing touches on Hyatt Places ground-floor restaurant, which includes an indoor beer garden-style dining area, a 24-tap bar and mural paying homage to Grand Rapids Beer City culture.

Outside, Tupelo Honey added patio seating bordered by planters and shaded by umbrellas.

Tupelo Honey took its first table of guests Sept. 22. The restaurant will celebrate its grand opening on Sept. 29. Visitors can expect all the food favorites, including honey dusted fried chicken and shrimp and grits.

With COVID-19 construction delays over, crews are busy transforming the old Tanaz salon into a new tasting room overlooking Rosa Parks Circle.

At full capacity, the 700-square-foot space in McKay Tower will seat up to 25 people. The bar will carry all of Wise Men Distillerys traditional spirits and serve up cocktails with a nod to downtown Grand Rapids culture.

Opening the tasting room was top priority for Wise Men Distillery before the pandemic hit and Amazon came calling for hand sanitizer. The production pivot helped Wise Men Distillery stay afloat when restrictions forced its bar to close.

Wise Men Distillery General Manager Tom Borisch says if all goes well, the downtown Grand Rapids tasting room should open in October.

Amazons first fulfillment center in West Michigan opened March 8, just days before the pandemic officially reached the area.

Weeks later, Amazon announced it was ramping up hiring to keep up with a spike in online orders. The company ultimately hired more than 1,000 employees in West Michigan.

In May, the assistant general manager of the new $150 million Amazon facility tapped Wise Men Distillery to produce much-needed hand sanitizer for his workforce, which had grown to 3,000 employees.

This month, Amazon announced another hiring binge to keep up with surging online shopping. The behemoth company plans to add 100,000 employees worldwide, including more than 1,500 in the Grand Rapids area.

Its months later than initially planned, but pups soon should run free inside the states first indoor off-leash dog park.

Located off West River Drive NE near Jupiter Avenue in Plainfield Township, The Pack will feature TVs and a bar overlooking the open dog play area which will have epoxy flooring. The plans also include Wi-Fi-enabled workspaces for pet owners, a fenced outdoor patio and a kitchen with limited food and beverages, including some alcoholic options.

More here:
Growing Grand Rapids and beyond: How COVID-19 hit 20 projects in 2020 - WOODTV.com

The Fox Cities fall lineup of new retail and restaurant businesses is noticeably leaner this year as some projects have been put on hold during the pandemic.

The uncertainty, however, hasnt stopped a handful of local and national companies from forging ahead with their plans.

Construction has also started on a few ventures that will debut in 2021.

At the same time, several businesses are calling it quits.

Acoca Coffeesfall opening will be both a reopening and an expansion. The locally owned coffee shop is immediately north of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center on College Avenue in downtown Appleton. Its remodeling its original space and expanding next door. An exact opening date has not been announced yet.

Aldiis estimated to open the doors of its newest Appleton location around late October or early November. The new grocery store is on Richmond Street south of the roundabout at Northland Avenue.

Appleton Axeis the new entertainment venue under construction at 1400 W. College Ave. in Appleton, the former Barstools Direct space. Were marching ahead despite all the uncertainty, said Pat Van Abel, partner in the venture with Joe Van Abel and Tim Bruecker. We want to open mid to late October. The business has eight lanes where people throw axes at bullseyes and drink beer. The partners also own Green Bay Axe. Its lanes are frequently rented for birthday parties, bachelor or bachelorette parties, corporate team-building gatherings and leagues.

Bare Bones Brewerys tap room is slated to go into 226 Main St., part of the former Wreath Factory space, in downtown Menasha. Co-owner Dan Dringoli said his contractor is waiting for state-approved plans, and work should get underway in the next few weeks. He aims for a Nov. 1 soft opening. Future plans include adding food service and a separately owned distillery.

Burlingtonreopened its off-price clothing store Friday. It had been shut down since spring because of flood damage caused by a broken sprinkler line. The store is at 697 N. Westhill Boulevard in Grand Chute.

Jersey Mikes Subsis a local franchise of the national sub shop chain. Its opening day is currently slated for Sept. 30 at 149 N. Mall Drive, on the south side of the Fox River Mall in Grand Chute. It took half of the former World of Beer space.

Pizza Ranchplans to open its second Fox Cities location in October and is hiring now. The new location is on Integrity Way in Grand Chute, across the street from Costco. Its a locally owned franchise of a national brand. See its Facebook page, facebook.com/PizzaRanchAppletonWest, for hiring information.

A new banquet/convert venue is under construction now at RiverHeath on Appleton's riverfront. The building in the background of the rendering is RiverHeath's Willow mixed-use building.(Photo: Submitted)

RiverHeaths latest project, underway now, is a $5 million concert/event venue located between the recently completed Willow mixed-use building and the Courtyard by Marriott hotel. The illustration above looks south, with Willow in the background and Fox River to the right. The building will be ready by next summer.

Our goal with the event space is to bring a wide range of music, community and artistic events to the Fox Valley. We plan to host concerts, weddings, business meetings, yoga retreats and town halls along the riverfront, said Mark Geall, principal of Tansesay Development, the developer of the property. Reservations are being taken for events starting next summer. Contact information can be found at Riverheath.com.

The vacant The Source Public Houserestaurant building in Menasha could have new life shortly. The buildings ownership group is currently negotiating with two interested parties. We have been working on interior demolition and reconstruction of the bar, walls, etc., said building co-owner Bob Rossi. With the work yet to be done, we anticipate opening the restaurant January to February 2021.

This OfficeMax on Appleton's east side and the Office Depot on College Avenue will both close in November.(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Office Depotat 2700 W. College Ave. and OfficeMaxat 2401 S. Kensington Dr. in Appleton will close in November. An OfficeMax at 4683 W. College Ave. remains open. The stores are owned by ODP Corp., which said in SEC filings in May that it planned to layoff 13,100 workers and close an unspecified number of stores by 2023.

More: UPDATED The Buzz: Office Depot and one OfficeMax to close in Appleton

Town Council Kitchen & Barannounced lastweek is has closed indefinitely. The restaurant had an employee test positive for the coronavirus. Chef/owner Jon Horan said the uncertainty of the pandemic and unavoidable temporary closures make it tough for small businesses to keep going and maintain a staff.

More: The Buzz: Town Council Kitchen & Bar closes indefinitely in Neenah

Pier 1 Importswraps up its going-out-of-business sale this week at 4717 W. Michaels Drive in Grand Chute. The company filed for bankruptcy in February and liquidated all of its stores. It had been in the Fox Cities for 47 years, starting with its first shop in downtown Appleton.

Pier 1 Imports wraps up its going out of business sale in the next few days in Grand Chute.(Photo: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Contact reporter Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or mwallenfang@postcrescent.com. Followher on Twitter at@wallenfang.

More: The Buzz: Restaurants worry about winter

Read or Share this story: https://www.postcrescent.com/story/money/companies/buzz/2020/09/21/buzz-fall-preview-ins-outs-and-construction-appleton-area/5826775002/

Originally posted here:
The Buzz: Fall preview of coming attractions, construction projects and closures - Post-Crescent

Between construction hiccups, staying on budget, and navigating the quagmire of permits needed, opening a restaurant has never been easy, even in the best of times. The pandemic adds another layer of uncertainties to the mix, not to mention new line items to the budget. Previously unforeseen costs could now include installing a high-tech air filtration system, expanding the patio to allow for more outdoor seating, or adding a takeout window.

After several months of frustrating delays and unexpected prep time, several owners are moving forward with cautious optimism in hopes of finally seeing their long-planned restaurants come to fruition this fall. The following list of 10 anticipated openings will infuse the Atlanta dining scene with everything from seafood boils and platters, Sicilian-style pizza, and juicy cheeseburgers, to a celebrity chef-back food hall, a new neighborhood brewpub, and vegan barbecue.

Location: Reynoldstown, 905 Memorial DriveWho: Chef Richard TangProjected opening: October

After the pandemic delayed the spring opening of Char Korean Bar & Grill, owner chef Richard Tang and his newly appointed chef, Karl Gorline (Watershed), finally debut Girl Diver in October at Madison Yards. In addition to its platters and boils featuring Alaskan king crab, jumbo tiger shrimp, and piles of crawfish, expect a menu filled with Chinese-Vietnamese dishes and comfort foods, like poached shrimp spring rolls, Vietnamese hot and sour seafood soup, a pesce baked egg made with sardines, green curry mussels, and lobster mac and cheese. Tangs next restaurant, a game bar called Press Start, opens next year in Summerhill. Take a look at the menu for Girl Diver below.

Location: Grant Park, 1039 Grant Street SEWho: Sam and Sara KazmerProjected opening: October

Elsewhere Brewing opens in October at the Beacon in Grant Park. Owners Sam and Sara Kazmer want to create a drinking hall and beer garden with a cafe vibe around the brewery. Elsewhere Brewing plans to open with 11 different beers on the menu, ranging from European classics, like a pilsner, Bavarian hefeweizen, and dark Czech lager, to West Coast ales, IPAs, and special release beers. Executive chef Thomas Stewart created a menu centered around street foods and family-style dishes, including a variety of empanadas and a 24-hour-brined chicken quarter, steak, and guava BBQ shrimp platter. Much like a CSA (community supported agriculture) helps support local farms, Elsewhere Brewing operates partially as a community supported brewery with CSB memberships. Read more about the brewery here.

Location: Midtown, Colony Square Who: Donna LeeProjected opening: Late October

Chicago restaurateur Donna Lee opens an Atlanta location of her popular Brown Bag Seafood Company restaurant at Colony Square in Midtown. The counter-serve spot, located next to sushi restaurant Sukoshi at the complex, offers sustainable seafood on its menu at a relatively affordable price point served as salads, tacos, sandwiches, and grain bowls. Customers fill out orders on reusable menus at the counter using dry erase markers by checking off a fish or protein of choice, how its served (bowl, taco, sandwich,) and a side to accompany the meal. Colony Square will also feature a new food hall called Politan Row. Read more about the food hall here.

Location: Virginia-Highland, 1023 Virginia Avenue NEWho: Anthony SpinaProjected opening: October/November

After finding success with his two pizzerias O4W Pizza and Nina & Rafi Anthony Spina opens Pizza by the Slice in part of the former Goin Coastal space in Virginia-Highland. Spinas latest pizzeria focuses on Sicilian-style pizza served by the slice or whole pie. The pizza typically features a thick, focaccia-like crust topped with oregano and tomatoes. In addition to pizza, the restaurant will also serve Jersey-style sub sandwiches. The pizzeria, located next door to Paolos Gelato, may finally fill the void left behind by the beloved Everybodys Pizza, which closed in the neighborhood after 41 years in 2013.

Location: Kirkwood, Pratt Pullman District, 225 Rogers Street NE, Building 11Who: Mike HornProjected opening: October/November

Gastropub the Abby Singer opens on Rogers Street at the forthcoming Pratt Pullman District in Kirkwood later this fall. The name refers to the second-to-last shot of the day during on-location filming, and is a nod to the late film production manager Abby Singer. Owner Mike Horn worked in film and television prior to his career in restaurants. The former Minneapolis residents new Kirkwood pub features a take on the Minnesota citys famed Juicy Lucy cheeseburger on the menu two burger patties filled with hot melted cheese.

Location: Underwood Hills, 1235 Chattahoochee Avenue NWWho: Andrew Zimmern and Robert MontwaidProjected opening: Rolling food stall openings throughout the fall

The first restaurant stalls inside forthcoming northwest Atlanta food hall Chattahoochee Food Works begin opening later this fall. So far, nine of the 31 stalls planned for the food hall are preparing to open over the coming months. The 22,000-square-foot market and test kitchen is a collaborative effort between James Beard Award-winning chef and Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern and Robert Montwaid, the creator of luxe food hall Gansevoort Market in New York City. Expect food stalls serving ice cream, Thai food, pasta and pizza, South African fare, breakfast dishes, Lebanese barbecue, along with a bakery, bubble tea bar, and a taqueria. Read more about the food hall and its stalls here.

Location: Midtown, 1010 West Peachtree Street NWWho: Takashi OtsukaProjected opening: November

Takashi Otsuka, the owner of the popular Wagaya ramen restaurants, Japanese market Wagaya Grocery, and robatayaki and sake restaurant Chirori, plans to open a fourth restaurant called Nagomiya in Midtown. Nagomiya, located at the Hanover West Peacthree apartment complex, will serve ramen, rice bowls, and sushi rolls on its menu. Otsuka just opened Wagaya Grocery underneath Wagaya on 14th Street in Midtown over the summer. The market features mostly Japanese food products, candies, sake and beer, and ingredients, but does offer a wide selection of Chinese and Korean items. Wagaya Grocery also includes prepared foods, like a katsu or tamago sandwich and individually wrapped onigiri, too.

Location: Castleberry Hill, 333 Peters StreetWho: Daniel BrownProjected opening: November/December

A second location of Stone Mountain-based Gilly Brew Bar, part of Gilly Brewing Co., opens inside Castleberry Hill gallery and event space Peters Street Station later this fall. Owned by Daniel Brown, Gilly Brew Bar is known for its innovative cocktail-like coffee and tea drinks, referred to as elixirs, including a fat-washed cold brew with bitters, balsamic, and lemon-fig marmalade or hibiscus tea comprising lemon and honey, egg white, bitters, and an aromatic mist. The shop will feature a few tables and seating for up to 16 people at the bar. Brown also plans to expand his Stone Mountain Village coffee shop to include a bar and kitchen next summer. The kitchen will also serve as an incubator with a rotating lineup of Atlanta-area private chefs.

Location: Stone Mountain, 5385 Five Forks Trickum RoadWho: Terry SargentProjected opening: Late November

After opening at We Suki Sukis Global Grub Collective food market last November, then moving to Orpheus Brewing in Midtown earlier this year, vegan barbecue pop-up Grass VBQ Joint opens a permanent location Thanksgiving week near Stone Mountain. Located on Five Forks Trickum Road, Grass VBQ serves smoked jerk wingz, veef brisket, sandwiches like smoked pulled jackfruit, a reuben with corned veef, and an oyster mushroom poboy, alongside desserts such as mini sweet potato pies and vegan cupcakes. Check out the menu here.

Location: East Atlanta, 714 Moreland Avenue SEWho: Corban IrbyProjected opening: December/early January

Okonomiyaki popup OK Yaki becomes a permanent restaurant when it opens in the newly renovated Seville complex on Moreland Avenue. Owned by Corban Irby, expect a menu offering Osaka-style street foods like yakisoba noodles, gyoza dumplings, and okonomiyaki a savory, onion and cabbage-filled griddled pancake topped with meats and okonomi sauce. Irby plans to expand the menu further to include other dishes such as karaage Japanese fried chicken and Japanese curry. At full capacity, OK Yaki will seat 45 people between a 15-seat bar, four booths, and six bar stools along the wet bar in back. OK Yaki should be open five nights a week, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., serving food and sake, shochu, whiskey highballs, and Japanese-style draft beers in frozen mugs.

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The 10 Most Anticipated Atlanta Restaurant Openings of Fall 2020 - Eater Atlanta

More than 75 Spring Grove residents and LifeSpring Community Church congregants celebrated Sunday the approval of a new development set to bring a church building, retail space and a community center to Route 173 at Siedschlag Road.

The project will be completed in phases with site clearing and building pad preparation starting this fall, a 12-page narrative of the project shared by the developer said. Construction on the church building and playground is to follow in the spring.

"When I heard we were putting up a new church, I was almost in disbelief," Garett McInnis, a member of LifeSpring, said to the dozens gathered at the site Sunday for a groundbreaking ceremony. "It's really cool to see where this church is at now and seeing how much it has grown."

Church members raised millions of dollars to fund the project, which will include indoor basketball, fitness, dance and gymnastics facilities in the 23,450-square-foot community center, said Tom Hinks, whose employer, TCH Development Group, is leading the work, and according to the documents Hinks provided. The community center will be open to the public.

The plan also includes an outdoor playground, an open-air pavilion and accessible bathrooms available for park users and occasional church activity, according to the narrative provided by Hinks.

Hinks also is organizing a group of Christian investors to buy a subdivided portion from the full 21.5-acre property where the retail component of the project will be located. It could include up to 24,200 square feet of retail, according to the narrative.

While the church will retain ownership of the rest of the property, a property owners' association will be responsible for running the community center and overseeing the building uses, according to the narrative.

Certain retail uses will be prohibited, including liquor stores, strip clubs, vaping or marijuana dispensaries and video gaming, according to the narrative. Desired tenants include a breakfast or lunch restaurant, coffee shop, bookstore, ice cream parlor, bicycle shop or bakery.

Work on the retail buildings is starting in 2022 at the earliest and the community center will start construction in 2023 at the earliest.

LifeSpring was founded in 2010, and its proposal to develop a new location and community center at 1154 Route 173 has been on the table since 2018.

"There has been a tremendous amount of work and effort and blood and tears put into this project," Hinks said.

But not everyone was supportive of the project moving forward when Spring Grove's Board of Trustees approved it in a split vote earlier this month. Trustees Bob McMahon and Lloyd Simonson voted against both motions to approve the plans. Each motion passed, 4-2, according to board meeting minutes.

The property originally had been zoned for commercial use, and a handful of residents, including several from the Breezy Lawns neighborhood, voiced opposition just before the board votes.

Some of their concerns was that nearby property owners would see all of the potentially negative impacts like increased traffic and noise, but the church wouldn't be contributing to the property tax base because it could be eligible for a property tax exemption, board meeting minutes indicate. The business entity will be responsible for paying the taxes on the land it owns, Hinks said.

Other detractors saw an issue with the number of variances to the Spring Grove zoning code the project requires, according to board meeting minutes, as well as worries about noise and light pollution. In total, there were 14 requests for variances to or departures from the zoning code, according to the narrative.

Church leaders said they think they have taken steps to clarify how the property will be used that abated the concerns, including by promising outdoor events will take place only during the daytime and the property managers will work to limit emitted light from the property while still keeping the area safe.

"We worked together to find a solution," Trustee Pat Mazzanti said in an interview. "The neighbors that objected to this don't want anything built here. We worked to reduce the commercial space while still maintaining some tax revenue."

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Construction set to begin on new Spring Grove church, community center - Northwest Herald

An old structure on Binghamton's South Side has been torn down as a redevelopment project involving a historic firehouse moves forward.

The $5 million project is anchored by the building on South Washington Street that was home to Number 5 restaurant for 42 years.

Developer Brett Pritchard said he's lining up retail and office tenants for the former fire station and for another building just south of it.

Speaking on WNBF Radio'sBinghamton Nowprogram Monday, Pritchard said current and former residents of the neighborhood were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony. He said it represented"kind of the end of one era and the start of another era."

A 7,000-square-foot building is to be constructed on the east side of the project site. It will have a Mirabito convenience store, a Peoples Security Bank and Trust branch office and a small restaurant or coffee shop.

Pritchard said a local retailer plans to set up shop on the first floor of the old fire station. The second floor will be used for office space.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph:bob@wnbf.com

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow@BinghamtonNowon Twitter.

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Construction Starts on "Number 5 Commons" Project in Binghamton - wnbf.com

SILVERDALE A road project in Old Town Silverdale has begun and will continue for the next two years.

To minimize disruption to businesses, the project will be done in chunks, just a block or so at a time.

Kitsap County Public Works is making infrastructure improvements along Bay Shore Drive NW and Washington Avenue NW in Old Town Silverdale. The two-year project will upgrade the sanitary sewer and stormwater infrastructure and unclude road resurfacing and sidewalk construction on Bayshore Drive, Washington Avenue and Byron Street.(Photo: Contributed / Kitsap County)

The project is along Bay Shore Drive NW and Washington Avenue NW and is being done to replace 3,900 feet of sewer main. With thatcomes other things that need to be done, said Tina Nelson, senior program manager for Kitsap CountyPublic Works.

A new stormwater system will be installed to filter oil and sediments from water, and areas with drainage problems will be fixed. Sidewalks near the water on Bay Shore Drive are being widened from 5 feet to 8 feet, and streetlights will be installed. There will also be improvements at intersections and improved ADA ramps. About 3,300 feet of water main will be replaced and 700 feet of recycled water will be used for irrigation.

There is a bit of activity at the site currently groundwater monitoring wells are being installed and markings are being drawn on the road, Nelson said.Later this month the work by the contractor, Ceccanti, will begin.

The project will likely wrap up in late summer or early fall of 2022, Nelson said.

Nelson acknowledges there will be an impact on businesses in the area. Construction noise will be one, shesaid, andclosures along Washington Avenue and Bay Shore Drive will affect business access and parking. The closures will take place block-by-block so a business access wont be impeded for long. Nelson said the county public works department doesn'tyet know when exactly the closures will be, but the county will communicate with property owners and businesses when the time approaches.

She said there wont ever be a long complete closure.

Some of the properties don't have any other access than off of the main road, so we can't close the road for a long time, Nelson said.

Monica Downen, owner of Monicas Waterfront Bakery and Cafe in Old Town, said the closure will be difficult for businesses in the area, especially on top of dealing with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Downen said businesses have proved they'readaptable during the pandemic. At her restaurant, staff hasmade to-go menu items and made curbside pick up much more accessible. The cafe hasturned the back alley into a make-shift drive-through. Theres no table service currently, as the cafe is small.

Businesses suffered during the widening of Silverdale Way in 2017, Downen said. But she doesn't expect as much of a downturn as a result of this project.

One thing shes worried about is parking.

Parking is already pretty minimal, she said. "All of the businesses rely on on-street parking massively. Im looking forward to it when its done, but its a two-year thing.

The project will close an entrance to the Port of Silverdale offices, and construction trailers may park in the ports lot, said Ed Scholfield, port commissioner.

"They're just now starting to assemble things," he said. "It's thesame group that worked on Silverdale Way and we've got a real good working relationship with them,and the countyhas been really good with us. We don't see any problems, if there are, you know, they're resolved fairly quickly with thatgroup."

The projects total cost is about $26 million. A total of $7.2 million will come from the county road fund, $12.6 million will come from the sewer utility fund, $5 million will come from the stormwater fund, and $1.2 million will come from the Silverdale Water District. Comcast will also contribute $40,000 to relocate someof itsfacilities in the area.

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Infrastructure project brings two years of construction to Old Town Silverdale - Kitsap Sun

The prefabricated home industry is a well-known entity. South Minneapolis now is getting its first modular apartment buildings, with the pieces placed together like a jigsaw puzzle with cranes last week.

The $4 million project, dubbed Mod42, at the corner of 32nd Avenue South and East 42nd Street in the Standish-Ericsson neighborhood, was largely built on an assembly line in Owatonna and then trucked to Minneapolis.

Last week, workers stacked each boxy unit like a Lego toy. The giant boxes each 16-by-72 feet were then bolted together to form a 30-unit, three story apartment complex.

Its the first of its kind in the Twin Cities and the first of many to come for commercial buildings, said Rise Modular CEO and Founder Christian Lawrence.

While prefabricated homes are common, prefabricated and multistory commercial structures like apartments and hotels are not in Minnesota. Theyve largely been constructed on the East and West Coasts, and even became a go-to solution for much-needed worker housing during North Dakotas fracking boom about eight years ago.

But the dearth of modular construction options in Minnesota has created a good opportunity here, said Lawrence, who plans to build more apartments and other structures.

Wed like to do 1,000 units per year and roughly 1 million square feet a year, Lawrence said.

Using a factory assembly line means construction can be 10% cheaper and almost 50% faster than a traditional build. So that allows the developer to start collecting rent sooner. And there is less disruption to the neighborhood.

On Thursday and Friday, a towering crane hauled each modular unit through the air as workers below guided them, landing them snugly next to or atop another mod.

The process attracted a crowd. Neighbors snapped photos while children watched in wonder as workers stripped the padding off each mod to reveal already finished windows and one long hallway that, when done, will connect the pods on each floor.

Inside you can see the kitchen flooring is in, the walls are painted. The light fixtures are in and the full kitchen and bath are installed. We have done as much as we can in the factory already, Lawrence said just as a semi-truck bed rolled up the street carrying the next mod pod to be hoisted into place.

The commercial modular project is the first of two announced this month by the two-year old and Minneapolis-based Rise Modular. In two weeks, the company launches its second project, a seven-story $40 million modular apartment building in St. Paul that is being built in partnership with The Ackerberg Group, Northland Real Estate and Opus.

As for the Minneapolis project, it took Rise Modular three months to fabricate the 30 Mod42 residential units inside the climate-controlled factory an hour south in the town of Owatonna.

With process kinks worked out, future builds should go much faster, said Dave Walock, vice president of construction and one of 60 Rise Modular employees. This is a holistic approach to building. Something like this has been a long time in coming.

The project is being developed by Rise Development Services and built by Rise Construction Services with DJR Architect as the architect.

Drew Johnson, senior vice president of development at Excelsior-based Oppidan Investment, said commercial modular buildings were previously embraced by McDonalds and Wendys in the Midwest as a way to get a fast-food restaurant open quickly.

The shortened building time helps with the payments on your construction loans, so you are not paying 16 months of interest on the overall loans, Johnson said.

As long as a modular project is well built with an attractive exterior, the idea could grow in Minnesota, said Johnson, who years ago watched some modular apartments rise quickly near North Dakotas oil fields.

One thing, though, that wasnt an issue in North Dakota but would be in the Twin Cities: those units were not pretty, he said.

Patrick McGlynn, founder of the Minneapolis development firm McGlynn Partners, expects to try building a modular apartment in the Twin Cities in three to five years.

McGlynn was set to have his three-story project at Franklin and Park avenues in Minneapolis become the first modular apartments in the Twin Cities two years ago. But the contractor, Thor Construction, suffered financial woes, shoving the project back two years.

At the time, a single-family homebuilder named Dynamic Homes was supposed to build McGlynns apartment mods in Detroit Lakes and truck them three hours to the build site in Minneapolis. The long transportation journey, however, inflated costs, causing McGlynn to abandon modular for traditional construction.

With a factory option now closer to the Twin Cities, McGlynn said hed consider modular construction again.

Its just a matter of time, he said. I think it needs to catch on. In the next [few] years we will see a lot more of it because of the ease of construction. You dont need as much space on site.

Still, modular will never fully replace traditionally built projects, he said.

The building industry is slow to change because of warranties and working with systems not yet proven, McGlynn said. There is a lot of liability that most builders dont want to take on.

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You've heard of modular homes; Minneapolis just got its first prefabricated apartment building - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Daily file photo by Zack Laurence

The interior of Taco Diablo, 1026 Davis St. The Blue Horse Tavern will join the restaurants at this location later this year.

After nearly 30 years in Evanston, Core & Rind Hospitality is opening a fourth restaurant, The Blue Horse Tavern, with a focus on American food.

The hospitality group hosts multiple restaurants under one roof, including LuLus, Taco Diablo, Five & Dime and soon, The Blue Horse Tavern. All of the groups restaurants are located out of 1026 Davis Street.

Owner Daniel Kelch said he has always thought about opening multiple concepts for restaurants under one roof, and eventually brought that concept to fruition with Core & Rind.

Kelch said over the years, LuLus has brought in more carryout and delivery sales than in-house dining. As a result, the team decided to convert LuLus to a virtual restaurant and build The Blue Horse Tavern in the former LuLus space. The restaurant will open once Five & Dime closes its rooftop deck for the season, he said, and it will likely operate at a reduced capacity because of COVID-19.

Kelch said he hopes the tavern will act as a casual space, and will allow more menu flexibility. Liquor sales at LuLus have been lower than the other two restaurants, he said, but the bar within the new tavern will feature bourbon and beer from local breweries.

In full-service restaurants, now its really important that you have a pretty strong percentage of sales as bar sales, Kelch said. In a full-service restaurant it has got to the point where you absolutely have to have that. You cant survive without it.

All of the groups restaurants try to serve a caliber of food thats similar to more upscale places, but at a lower price point and in a more casual environment, Kelch said.

Kelch said he, along with much of his staff, is a classically trained French chef. Much of Kelchs staff has also worked with him for decades and is able to make a wide variety of high-quality dishes.

Apple Tem, one of the front-of-house managers, makes a lot of the groups pastries and has been working with Kelch for eight years. Tem, Kelch and others in the restaurant have been talking about what the The Blue Horse Tavern menu will look like. In addition to traditional American food, they hope to vary the menu based on the season.

The desserts that we put out probably go by seasons, Tem said. Something classic all the time. Some of the chocolate menu and then for fall come, we have something apple or fall food or one of those.

Kelch said COVID-19 created an opportunity for construction on the LuLus space because the restaurant already had to close temporarily.

Kelch said the group worked with a local contractor and team to create the new layout for the tavern. Core & Rind Hospitality Manager Nathalie Barbier said the team completely re-did the interior of the LuLus space. The tavern will have wood paneling, leather booths and a new bar.

Theres a number of people who just walked into the space and theyve been like, Wow, this is great. I cant wait till this opens. This looks like it could be a great place just to have a drink, have food and relax, Barbier said. It really gives them a place just to be able to drop by, have drinks and be casual but yet comfortable.

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The Blue Horse Tavern to open as part of Core & Rind Hospitality - Daily Northwestern