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Regal Cinemas To Reopen May 7; QDOBA Shutters Permanently; Briefs

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Regal Cinemas Plans To Reopen All Its Theaters By End Of May; Nanuet Location To Open May 7

regal cinemaRegal Cinemas closed all 543 of its theaters in the United States in October due to continued revenue losses from the coronavirus pandemic. The chain had 44 New York locations including a theater in The Shops at Nanuet.

On April 2, the movie theater chain reopened a handful of its theaters: Deer Park, New Rochelle, Brooklyn, New York City and Long Island City.

The next set of reopenings will be April 16, though none are in New York.

Coronavirus protocols including requiring employees to undergo daily health screenings, mask mandates, reducing capacity to 50 percent, leaving two seats in between groups and additional hand sanitizer stations will be in place.

Regal said it will increase fresh air intake by 50 percent to 100 percent above normal levels to circulate fresh air throughout the auditoriums. Moviegoers will be able to purchase tickets in advance through the Regal mobile app and will be able to purchase concession items as well when in the theater.


QDOBA Closes Location The Shops At Nanuet; Opening New Locations Beyond The Mall

QDOBAWas it the Chipotle Mexican Grill that recently opened across the street at Rockland Plaza on Route 59 that delivered the last blow?

QDOBA, the fast-casual Mexican chain, appears to have shuttered its location at The Shops at Nanuet. Simon Property Group would not return calls to confirm the closure, but the mall owner has stripped the restaurant’s sign from its marquis.

The largest franchise in the fast-casual Mexican segment, QDOBA sees opportunity beyond the mall. The company is growing its non-traditional footprint across universities, airports and other venues where a premium is placed on convenience, speed, quality and value. Since August, the Brand has opened eight locations on college campuses across the country, according to Franchising.com. Two more non-traditional locations are slated to open by the end of the year.


Rebuild NY Cheers $1.08B In Infrastructure Spending Slated For Local Roads And Bridges

The Legislature and Executive have reached an agreement on the NYSDOT 2021-22 Capital Program with a substantial increase to local highway aid by a record 32.5 percent. In addition, $90 million in local highway aid that was held last year has been appropriated.

This significant increase in funding will enable localities and municipalities across the state to repair decaying infrastructure and create more jobs.

Rebuild New York Now believes the funding is a seismic step forward to improve New York’s capital highway program for local road and bridge projects and to make New York’s economy stronger. Mike Elmendorf, President and CEO of Rebuild New York Now, issued the following statement as lawmakers reached a budget deal.

“We want to thank the governor and the legislature for prioritizing infrastructure spending in the budget and urge all members of both houses to approve the funding when the bill reaches the floor. Due to the incredibly strong advocacy efforts of our partners and advocates, the overall NYSDOT capital program is the largest ever at $6.168B. Within the NYSDOT capital program state and local construction also hit a record level for the 2021-22 budget at $4.8 billion,” said Elmendorf.

Rebuild NY Now is a partnership of supporters seeking to raise public awareness about the issues impacting New York State’s infrastructure. The coalition actively engages federal and state elected officials to support public policies that promote safe roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and other vital infrastructure.