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Chef Marcus Samuelsson opened Red Rooster Overtown in December 2020 after having to twice postpone serving diners because of the pandemic.
Star chef Marcus Samuelsson was determined to open a new restaurant in South Florida, even during a recession.
The business climate for restaurants was much different when star chef Marcus Samuelsson began the process that would result in opening his first South Florida location.
In 2016 the economy was booming. Unemployment had been falling for years. It was below five percent in Miami-Dade County. Incomes were rising and tourism was red hot.
By the time Red Rooster Overtown finally opened for paying diners on Dec. 3, 2020 the local unemployment rate would be the second highest in the state, tens of thousands of hospitality jobs would disappear, tourism would be on life-support, and countless restaurants would be closed many for good.