Richmond restaurant roundup for 2020: Pandemic pivots and new eateries BizSense file) While the pandemic was the defining event of the year for Richmond’s restaurant industry, resulting in the closing of dozens of local spots, plenty of local operators also continued with expansion plans. Here’s a recap of local food news from a year that many in the industry would rather forget: Pandemic pivot The pandemic pivot became a go-to for almost every restaurant in town this year. The government-mandated shutdown combined with patrons’ lingering fears left proprietors scrambling to find new revenue streams, shifting into a to-go-focused model and finding ways to squeeze enough tables and seats into their spaces while still maintaining social distancing.