Ken Alcaron, owner of Maravillas Bar and Grill, illustrates the frustrations faced by Bronx restaurateurs, stating, 'Imagine you spend $27K and they take it out of nowhere. It's like they punched me in my mouth.' His experience with forced upgrades costing an additional $7,000 after investing over $20,000 into an outdoor dining structure highlights the struggles with city regulations, which he ultimately found not worth the effort.
Reflecting on his decision not to apply for the Dining Out NYC permit, Alcaron shared, 'I'd rather reinvest into the business than just throw money away.' This sentiment rings true for many Bronx restaurateurs, showcasing a broader reluctance to engage with new city programs that seem more burdensome than beneficial.
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