NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The return of indoor dining in New York City couldn't come soon enough for struggling Big Apple restaurants, as a new survey by the New York City Hospitality Alliance reveals 92% of more than 400 respondents couldn't afford to pay December rent, a number that has steadily increased since the start of the pandemic.
In June, the survey revealed 80% of restaurants could not afford to pay rent; July 83%; August 87%; and October 88%.
The non-profit organization says the year-end figures are dismal for the future of the "Restaurant Capital of the World."
Before COVID-19, New York City was home to over 25,000 restaurants, bars and nightclubs that employed 325,000 people.