Capacity restrictions are set to ease soon in New York and the change will impact restaurants, gyms and even Broadway - and one Yonkers diner owner says it's about time.

The orders are coming in slowly and steadily at Yonkers Diner on Saw Mill River Road, but the restaurant is still mostly empty.

Like many other business owners, Gabriel Vallinas and his brother have fought to keep the diner open amid the yearlong pandemic. Gabriel Vallinas says she does see the light at the end of the tunnel now that New York is taking a huge step forward in reopening businesses.

"I'm excited about it. I can't wait," says Vallinas. "We are going to have all the tables available for the people."

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Social distancing is still required, but on May 19, state-imposed capacity restrictions will end for retail stores, food services, gyms and many more.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo attributed the big step toward reopening to a steady decline in the positive rate of COVID-19 tests, which has dropped by 50% over the last month.

The boost in business a step toward recovering, says Vallinas, who is still waiting on his first PPP loan of $80,000.

"For me to stay open, I need that money to stay in business," says Vallinas.

If the pace of vaccinations stays steady, Gov. Cuomo says in the next two months we could see "literally everything back to normal."