New York City restaurants are opening or have already opened auxiliary establishments on Long Island's East End as they look for new ways to reach customers during the coronavirus pandemic, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Why it matters: Restaurant owners in New York City have long been establishing outposts in the Hamptons to reach the summer crowds, per the Journal, but that system is now giving them a lifeline during the pandemic — especially since New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo decided to push back the date to allow indoor dining in New York City's five boroughs.
President Trump signed off on Saturday to give businesses another five weeks to apply for funds through the Paycheck Protection Program.
Why it matters: Roughly $130 billion in PPP funding is still available. The Small Business Administration's inspector general found in May that some rural, minority and women-owned businesses may not have gotten loans due to a lack of prioritization from the agency.
Drive-in movie theaters, the symbol of a bygone era before cellphones and constant distraction, are suddenly reemerging as a popular form of entertainment during the coronavirus crisis.
Why it matters: Indoor movie theaters are closed, but people still crave entertainment and a chance to get out of their houses. Watching a movie from the safety of a car is the next best thing.
Consumer fireworks sales such as sparklers and firecrackers have increased so much during the coronavirus pandemic that supplies may soon run out, industry experts say, per CNN.
The big picture: Commercial demand for fireworks plummeted as weddings and sporting events canceled and July 4 shows downsized. Some demand was later salvaged after Americans began stocking up on fireworks this past month out of sheer boredom. Sales have more than doubled.
Grocery delivery company Instacart has raised $100 million in new funding, on top of the $225 million it announced last month, the company tells Axios. This brings its valuation to $13.8 billion.
Why it matters: This funding comes at what could be an inflection point for Instacart, as customers it acquired during coronavirus lockdowns decide whether they want to continue with the service or resume in-person grocery shopping.
The economy is sputtering, but the markets are thriving — a highly unusual event that shows how the coronavirus has thrown all bets off.
Why it matters: The disconnect adds to the wealth gap. The richest 10% of households — who own 84% of stocks — are getting richer, while millions of out-of-work Americans cross their fingers that pandemic unemployment benefits will be extended.
