INtouch
PO Box 7577, Columbia, SC 29202
FEBRuARY 2021
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID COLUMBIA, SC PERMIT 168
The marketplace is the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s affinity program that helps members with selection and pricing advantages on important products and services that help advance and protect South Carolina’s hospitality industry.
COVID-19 Vaccine Flow in SC The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC) top priority is to save lives. Everyone will have a chance to get the vaccine. However, the number of doses is currently limited in South Carolina like in all states. DHEC asks everyone to please be patient, learn what phase you are in and follow the guidance of public health officials. This will allow public health officials to ensure those at highest risk and those who keep us alive are vaccinated first. To support this effort, vaccine distribution is occurring in a phased approach. The following outline provides an overview of the anticipated categories and a timeline. This is subject to change at any time for many reasons, such as a change in federal guidance or in the VAC’s recommendations for South Carolina.
Learn more at SCRLA.org/marketplace
Phase 1a and 70+ is currently ongoing as of January 13. Restaurant and bar workers are included in Phase 1b. Phase 1b includes front line essential workers: •
SCRLA Member Spotlight Why Choose Hitachi Asset Monitoring? Hitachi’s HiQ eSystems® is designed rugged for use in demanding environments and is ideal for hypersensitive and extreme-use applications. Their line of asset management solutions is designed to ensure the safety of your perishable items when and where you need it. Restaurant Monitoring Systems Food contamination claims are not only expensive but potentially devastating to a restaurant’s reputation and brand. While no one expects to be the subject of a contamination claim, everyone in the restaurant industry must monitor and document the environment of each individual perishable package in transit to the consumer. The cost, if neglected, could be the very existence of the organization you’ve worked so hard to build. Thankfully, environmental temperature sensors and asset-control systems like those offered by HiQ eSystems can help in several ways: 1. You can take advantage of automated asset monitoring. You can evaluate your assets 24/7 and receive text, voice, or email alerts if any issues arise. All temperatures can be monitored including hot, cold and cool down temperatures, so you can act before your assets spoil. 2. You can keep accurate records without human
intervention. You can minimize the possibility of human error and improve data accuracy. 3. Multilocation restaurant owners can check data anytime and anywhere. You can access real-time data about your equipment anywhere with a PC, smartphone, or tablet. It makes optimizing your maintenance schedules much easier since you can monitor your assets in multiple locations at a quick glance. 4. You can detect a potential equipment failure before it’s too late. You can detect the potential failure of any of your restaurant equipment with Hitachi’s HiQ eSystems analytics. “Any given day, Hitachi is monitoring all of my business really from the cold side to the hot side—everything that’s in my smoker at night to everything that’s in my walk-in cooler during the day and at night. With having HiQ eSystems® as a part of our daily system, we can check it and monitor it, and it keeps us in check. I would rate the dependability a 10 out of 10. The temperature monitoring is always there. Whether I’ve lost power or anything, it’s constantly reading, and I can always pick up my phone, my computer, or go to any device that has web access.”
Robert Owens Grand Champion BBQ
firefighters, law enforcement officers, corrections officers, food and agricultural workers, USPS workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and those who work in the educational sector—teachers, support staff, and daycare workers
A map with current locations accepting vaccine appointments is available at scdhec.gov/ vaxlocator. More information on the COVID-19 vaccine flow in South Carolina can be found at scdhec.gov/vaxfacts.
14 things to know about the 2nd Round of PPP The SCRLA continues to respond to the challenges COVID-19 presents across South Carolina’s hospitality industry during this unprecedented time. We remain in close and constant communications with our state and national leaders and support organizations, including AAHOA, AHLA, NRA, and others. We will vigorously fight for our industry and are always available for your questions, comments, and concerns. A new coronavirus relief bill was passed by Congress and has been signed into law. The Treasury/SBA released their guidance for the second round of PPP. Who is eligible? The bill authorizes approximately $285 billion for another round of the Paycheck Protection Program that’s administered through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) network of lenders. However, this time the money is only going to small businesses (less than 300 employee per physical location) that have been specifically impacted by the pandemic. The criteria is that if your business has suffered revenue declines of more than 25% in any given quarter this year compared to last year then you will be eligible. The loans are up to $2 million and you can choose an 8 or 24-week forgiveness period. The loan calculation is up from 2.5x to 3.5x payroll and payroll costs for the period chosen for Accommodation and Food Services industry (NAICS Code 72) others remain at the 2.5x factor. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
There is another round of PPP. If you have an existing PPP loan, you can request an increase. The definition of “forgivable” expenses has been expanded. Forgiveness of PPP loans has been simplified. You can deduct your PPP forgiveness expenses. If you’re a seasonal employer you’re more fully defined. The EIDL program is alive and well and so are the grants. If you’re in the arts industry you are probably eligible for a grant under the new Shuttered Venue Operator Grant Program. 9. Additional support is being provided to minority owned business and businesses located in a “Low to Moderate Income Area”. 10. Certain SBA Loans just became much more attractive. 11. The Employee Retention Tax Credit has been expanded. 12. Deferral of social security taxes has been extended. 13. You can take advantage of the Employee Retention Tax Credit through 2026. 14. There is a bigger meal tax deduction.
Upcoming ServSafe Manager Classes Charleston - Feb. 9 GVL/Sptbg - Feb. 16 Columbia - Feb. 17 Myrtle Beach - Feb. 23 Charleston - Feb. 24
Bluffton/HHI - March 3 GVL/Sptbg - March 9 Columbia - March 10 Florence - March 11 Charleston - March 15
SCRLA members receive a 20% discount using the code SERV2. To sign up, visit AtlanticFoodSafety.com
The SCRLA hosted its 12th Annual Restaurant Week South Carolina with a Twist With the hope that 2021 will be a year of recovery for local restaurants, the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association hosted its 12th Annual Restaurant Week South Carolina January 7-17. Foodies from across the state joined us to celebrate their local restaurant communities. Restaurant Week South Carolina is a foodie-favorite that is the perfect time to take a culinary tour throughout the diverse and thriving food culture across our state.
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As in years past, participating restaurants offered special menus for dining in; however, new this year, some restaurants also offered takeout during the 11-day event. Diners who wished to stay home could take advantage of Restaurant Week specials via takeout and delivery at some of the restaurants. Amount raised through the SCRLA’s Hospitality Employee Relief Fund has opened four hotels in the Midlands, including the Residence Inn by Marriott and TownePlace Suites by Marriott pictured Solara Hospitality above. Cipkala and Briggs have plans to open two more hotels in the coming months.
How Solara Hospitality is Elevating Their Customers For Clancy Cipkala and Andy Briggs, the formula is pretty straight forward— create a hospitality atmosphere of light and warmth, and take care of the associates who are on the front lines delivering your brand’s mission to the people. Cipkala, Senior Managing Partner, President and CEO; and Briggs, Senior VP and Managing Partner, have established a formula that continues to manage award-winning properties defined by a team known for their expertise, compassion and commitment to excellence. By continually setting itself apart by providing delightful and memorable guest experiences, Solara Hospitality has become a go-to source for hospitality management, overseeing Marriott-branded properties, including Residence Inns, TownePlace Suites and Courtyard hotels in South Carolina. Under the leadership of Cipkala, Solara has developed more than 30 hotels in the Southeast, pulling in numerous brand and state awards, including the Hotelier of the Year in 2017 and Hotel of the Year within the Marriott and
A win-win for diners and the local economy, Restaurant Week gives consumers the opportunity to enjoy fantastic meals at great prices, while giving restaurants a much-needed boost. From casual to high-end restaurants, to dine-in and takeout options, there was truly something for everyone this year.
Choice brands. The Solara brand is a testament to the management duo. Cipkala began his career with Ryan Homes as a sales manager and then spent the next five years at Ford Motor Company as a Zone Manager and Product Marketing Manager. He was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for a hotel management company that handled 25 hotels in the Southeast, as well as a full-service, in-house advertising agency. His counterpart, Briggs, started his 26-year career in hospitality as a banquet waiter at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center in Boone, North Carolina. Certified by the American Hotel & Lodging Association as a Certified Hotel Administrator in 2006, 2011 and 2016, he has consistently served on boards as a director or an officer on the local and state level for tourism and lodging. For 15 years, Briggs has served as GM at several award-winning properties within Hampton Inn by Hilton (winning three consecutive Lighthouse awards), Courtyard by Marriott (Diamond, Platinum, and Gold) and Residence Inn by Marriott (Platinum) before becoming a General Partner.
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February 2021 • SCRLA.org
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