Worcester Business Journal

14 Worcester Business Journal | March 29, 2021 | wbjournal.com F O C U S G O L F & M E E T I N G S P eppers Artful Events was coming off its best year yet heading into 2020 and expecting even better things ahead. e three-decade-old Northborough caterer had more than 90 weddings booked. Looking toward a better 2021 Aer being devastated by the coronavirus pandemic and the limits on gatherings, the catering industry sees no where to go but up BY GRANT WELKER Worcester Business Journal News Editor "It was looking incredible. We were going to be on a roll," said John Lawrence, the catering director and a co-owner with his wife, Susan. en, of course, the coronavirus pan- demic hit. All but five of those weddings were canceled, as was just about every other event Peppers was planning to help put on. Most employees were let go, and come August, not confident federal aid would come, Lawrence thought Peppers' end could be near. "Last August, I didn't think we'd make it to December," Lawrence said, taking time to reflect back in between making preparations for the coming season. "I thought we were toast." Peppers and other caterers who survived 2020 are back, and expecting a far better 2021, between resched- uled events, a demand for weddings and other family gatherings, and a widely expected return to some sort of post-pandemic normalcy by around the middle of the year. Peppers wasn't alone in an industry crushed by the health crisis. Restaurants were as well, but they were oen able to ramp up take-out orders or, in good weather, seat people outside. For cater- ers, adjustments were harder to make. Past recessions were easier to maneu- ver, Lawrence said. With unpredictable government guidelines, that wasn't the case in 2020. "is one, we couldn't shi," he said. Finding ways to stay open ose adjustments were made where possible. Peppers started a pick-up dinner option out of its Northborough offices, something not nearly enough to break even but kept workers employed and gave customers another dining option. Peppers picked up business in New Hampshire, where government regula- March 10, 2020: Gov. Charlie Baker declares a state of emergency March 13, 2020: Gatherings of more than 250 prohibited March 15, 2020: Gatherings of more than 25 prohibited March 23, 2020: Gatherings of more than 10 prohibited June 22, 2020: Restaurants allowed to restart indoor table service with space limitations July 2, 2020: Indoor gatherings limited to eight people per 1,000 square feet, for up to 25 people. Outdoor gatherings are limited to the same restrictions for up to 100 people. Oct. 5, 2020: Low-risk communities, those with lower case levels, are allowed to open so-called Phase 3 businesses, including indoor and outdoor event spaces. Nov. 6, 2020: Events spaces, restaurants and other businesses are required to close by 9:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 2020: Business capacities are reduced. Dec. 26, 2020: Event spaces are reduced in capacity to 10 indoors and 25 outdoors. Restau- rants are reduced to 25% A year of event restrictions Caterers in Central Massachusetts were often limited by the restrictions placed on events and gatherings in an effort to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Here's how those rules changed over the course of the pandemic, so far

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