Residents take issue with Northampton stormwater fee
Original pumps inside the flood control station on Hockanum Road in Northampton. GAZETTE STAFF/ANDREW J. WHITAKER
The view of the front side of the flood control pump station on Hockanum Road in Northampton. GAZETTE STAFF/ANDREW J. WHITAKER
The view of the back side of the flood control pump station on Hockanum Road in Northampton. GAZETTE STAFF/ANDREW J. WHITAKER
The view of the front side of the flood control pump station on Hockanum Road in Northampton. GAZETTE STAFF/ANDREW J. WHITAKER
John Riley, left, and Anthony Patillo meet at Woodstar Cafe on Sunday to discuss a grassroots campaign against Northampton’s 2014 stormwater fee. GAZETTE STAFF/ANDREW J. WHITAKER
A $20,000 bill: Woodstar Café owner braces for doubled unemployment taxes if state lawmakers don’t find a fix
Today 5:30 AM
The Woodstar Café removed all of its indoor seating to comply with the state s safety workplace standards. The tables that packed the room have been replaced by tape on the ground directing customers where to walk to avoid crowding.Steph Solis
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The Woodstar Café, a family-owned shop in Western Massachusetts, has survived every blow dealt by the COVID-19 pandemic. A six-week hiatus that began in March 2020. A skeleton crew wearing masks and gloves serving baked goods to-go. A two-thirds reduction of seating when dining service was allowed to resume in Massachusetts.
Published: 3/12/2021 5:08:33 PM
NORTHAMPTON Andrew Brow refers to the period between New Year’s and Valentine’s Day as the “dark days” of the restaurant season a time when people spend less money eating out.
But that was before the pandemic hit, casting a heavy cloud over his business that’s stretched on for an entire year, says the chef and owner of HighBrow Wood Fired Kitchen + Bar in Northampton.
“We’re getting by,” Brow said. “The doors will not lock.” But the business isn’t “printing money, either.”
Out in Florence, Miss Florence Diner owner Georgie Brunton said business is down quite a bit because of the pandemic, but that the restaurant is “hanging in there,” and holding out hope that as more people get vaccinated the business can get back to 2019 numbers.
4 people, 1 takeout meal every week, for 3 months: ‘413 pledge’ seeks to ease impact of COVID on Northampton restaurants
Updated Feb 16, 2021;
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Groups of four people ordering one takeout meal every week for three months: That’s the goal of Northampton’s newly introduced “413 Takeout pledge,” a campaign that organizers say aims to ease the “difficult plight” of those in the service industry amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The restaurant-focused campaign is being led by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee along with the Downtown Northampton Association. The idea for the program stemmed from a survey the EDC conducted last year that found people felt a healthy restaurant community is needed for the rejuvenation of the Pioneer Valley city during the COVID-19 public health crisis.