Bitter cold causes weekend business to decline at restaurants

The aftermath of holiday spending, combined with the cold led to a drop in reservations at Decosta's Restaurant in Yonkers.

News 12 Staff

Jan 20, 2024, 1:36 AM

Updated 323 days ago

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Friday's frigid temperatures had an impact on local businesses, especially restaurants who experienced a drop in dining reservations.
Owner Pedro Decosta, of Decosta's Restaurant in Yonkers, knows firsthand. The aftermath of holiday spending, combined with the cold, led to a drop in reservations at the eatery he's owned for 19 years.
Decosta said the restaurants had some cancellations, but on cold winter nights, they see an increase in their delivery service. He added that it picks them up economically and helps them get through a slow night.
Getting through frigid nights are also a challenge for restaurant workers who find themselves waiting patiently for customers to come in.
Not far away from Decosta's Restaurant, at Carlo's Italian Restaurant, business was better, but not as good as it should be for a weekend night.
The restaurant's Christie Delgado said they usually see anywhere above a hundred reservations on a regular weekend. This time of the year, however, she said they always see a decline.
Restaurant owners also said they are sometimes forced to cut staff and send workers home when business is down.