Santa Fe Restauraneurs Draft Letter to Governor

More updates in the seemingly endless saga of whether restaurants will be allowed to serve indoors as the State Supreme Court suspended Fifth Judicial District Judge Raymond Romero's earlier decision that New Mexico restaurants could serve indoors for at least the next 10 days. Everything goes back to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's original public health orders, which state that restaurants may only serve in outdoor spaces and at 50% capacity.

The last update and original story follow:

Mere days after the Greater Santa Fe Restaurant Association sent a letter to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham expressing their support for renewed restrictions on indoor dining, a Carlsbad judge has issued an injunction which will allow restaurants and breweries to continue indoor dining at 50% capacity for at least the next 10 days. This comes after the New Mexico Restaurant Association—the GSFRA's parent org—filed suit against the state for what it characterized as "punishment" against restaurants. The ruling, which says the state did not respond to the NMRA's court filing in a timely fashion, goes into effect today.

Our original story follows:

After restaurants across the state took part in the virtual #LetUsServe protest spearheaded by the New Mexico Restaurant Association, board members of the organization's Santa Fe chapter have come together to draft a letter in support of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's steps to restrict dining out in New Mexico amid rising coronavirus numbers.

In the protest, restaurant owners and staff posed in photos while holding signs featuring employee numbers and the #LetUsServe hashtag. In their letter, however, the board of the Santa Fe Greater Restaurant Association say they stand behind the governor's decision to limit in-person dining to patio service and 50% capacity.

That letter, which was signed by a number of prominent owners and managers, was provided to SFR by an anonymous source earlier today:

Dear Governor Lujan-Grisham,

The Greater Santa Fe Restaurant Association (GSFRA) wants to extend our support toward your efforts to quell the spread of Covid-19 through New Mexico. We cannot imagine what it must be to weigh the information available and make, in earnest, the best decision on behalf of all New Mexicans.

As restaurateurs, we view this as a public health concern first and foremost.  Sadly, members of our board have lost people close to them as a result of the virus, deepening our commitment to participate in the solution.   None of us pretend to be scientists and soothsayers.

What we do know is how to follow safety guidelines while providing memorable experiences for Santa Feans of all walks of life.  We know how to be creative as we face the day-in, day-out curves life throws at us – staffing shortages, food shortages, weather, structural issues, the occasional crazy person – you name it, we face it.   Arguably, some of our best ideas and recipes are born from those adversities.  While doing that we bring families together, foster romance, strengthen friendships, or simply give much needed respite to a weary traveler.

Our board is comprised of committed industry leaders.  Many of our board members have owned or operated a restaurant in Santa Fe for decades.  Our love of Santa Fe runs deep.

Because of this, we want work side by side with you in your effort to keep New Mexico safe. We feel we can bring a wealth of first-hand experience and care to foster both the physical and economic health of Santa Fe and by extension, New Mexico.

Would you consider inviting one or two of these long-standing Santa Fe Restaurant owners and operators to participate in your team of advisors?  This is not to sway you away from protecting New Mexico in the name of business – this is not the time to put money first.  This is to help carry the load you have had thrusted upon you while hopefully finding a way to keep New Mexico's pantry full.

We are here to help.  Thank you for listening."

Respectfully delivered by email, July 17, 2020

The Board of Directors, Greater Santa Fe Restaurant Association
Minerva Paez, President | Owner/Operator Casa Chimayo in Santa Fe
Howie Rouillard, Vice President | Autochlor – Santa Fe Region
Tony Bennett, Board Member | Owner/Operator Kakawa Chocolates
Fernando Olea, Board Member | Chef/Owner Sazon
Matt Yohalem, Board Member | Chef/Owner Il Piato
Cristian Pontiggia, Board Member | Chef/Owner Sassella
John Cuviello, Board Member | Food & Beverage Director La Fonda
Sam Gerberding, Board Member | General Manager Inn of the Governors
Al Lucero, Board Member | SGWS, Former Owner/Operator Maria's

"We believe that following the guidelines of the health and safety experts, putting people first and helping to fight this disease together is in all of our best interests," Il Piatto's Matt Yohalem tells SFR. "We want to keep Santa Fe safe. We want to keep our staffs safe. We want to not only keep our guests safe, but to let them know it."

Yohalem says that while he signed the letter, it was intended for a later public release. He is not aware of who leaked it to SFR.

"We want the world to know that here in Santa Fe we will keep you safe," he continues. "We want a future for Santa Fe. We want to be part of the solution so that people, all people, may thrive in the years to come."

For her part, Lujan Grisham has not been messing around—restaurants in Carlsbad, Hobbs and Farmington have wound up with suspended permits after ignoring the public health order. Others, such as Weck's locations in Santa Fe and Farmington, have reportedly changed their tune about service when faced with suspensions.

Many restaurants continue to offer takeout, curbside pickup and delivery.