03/16/2021
Thank you to my colleagues MRU ❤️A year ago, we watched our industry and the world face a pandemic and experience the first days of a shutdown. Over night, all we held as vital in hospitality was no longer viable. The memories of loss, place, people, connections and the milestones missed echoed each day of the last 365. As we reckon with long shadows of this last year, the grief, the longing and the personal and professional loss and evolution thrust upon us all, it is important to recognize the work and leadership of the founding board and membership of Massachusetts Restaurants United. The founding board gathered to form a true grassroots coalition.
MRU banded to share knowledge, vet information, create support and amplify our voices locally, regionally and nationally. Advocacy through community became our lifeline to survive. In this time we never imagined, we remembered our roots- we are innovators at heart, dreamers and supporters of the strivers and vital to the very fabric of our communities. Under dogs and adapters. We have zoomed, we have lobbied locally and nationally, we have donated time, meals, ideas, energy and mined hope every day. Outdoor dining, take-out, cooking for first responders, creating new models, furloughing our teams, seeking support, closures, occupancy limitations, every changing guidelines in this process has been a gauntlet.
Still, much has been accomplished through the collective efforts of the MRU and the IRC. Congress has listened to us and we have fought hard for a seat at the table. Our work is far from done, it is vital to continue to advocate, support and connect with our elected officials on every level. Navigating a new future in our industry with stability, equity and parity as a foundation. Moving onward we can be agents of change, letting go of aspects of our industry that did not allow for sustainable inclusive futures.
The days and weeks ahead we will no longer have the previous year hold memories of a time before COVID. For the past year we have started our days with the memory of a year ago being a time of hospitality and rhythm in our lives. Whether we were opening our doors to our guests, baking, prepping, cooking, mixing drinks, writing wine lists, taking reservations, extending hospitality each day- we knew the road we were on, individually and collectively. Hope is on the horizon with the vaccine and with the latest rounds of support, this is not the end of our journey.
MRU will continue to be a table for us to gather together in support, solidarity and community.
- District Representative Angela Raynor, The Pearl & The Boarding House Nantucket Island
