New Framingham Restaurant Council Aims To Help With Coronavirus

FRAMINGHAM, MA — A group of local business leaders and city officials are teaming up to help Framingham restaurants reopen after coronavirus restrictions lift.

The Framingham Restaurant Council will offer advice to local restaurants on how to reopen while keeping the public safe. Three Framingham City Councilors are part of the organization, and will help restaurants access equipment needed to reopen safely, according to the organization.

The council is a partnership between Symphony Builders owner Rick McKenna and Downtown Framingham Inc. Local restaurateurs Lee Mencoboni (La Cantina), Sam Hendler (Jack's Abby), Kelsey Roth (Exhibit 'A'), and Tim Hanna (Ken's Steak House) are also on the council.

Also on the council are Economic Development Committee Chairman Doug Lawrence, Board of License Commissioners Vice Chair Tiel Wadland, MetroWest Chamber CEO Jim Giammarinaro, Deirdra MacLeod Richardson from SMOC Financial Services, DFI's Mike Gatlin, and Dennis Cardiff from the Framingham Business Association.

Framingham Councilors Phil Ottaviani, Mike Cannon, and Janet Leombruno are also on the council and will serve as liaisons between restaurants and city government.

The group has also funded a GoFundMe fundraiser to help restaurants recover from the crisis.