Latest news with #Raso
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers propose measure to allow Matunuck Oyster Bar to temporarily reopen outside
Matunuck Oyster Bar staff and friends gather outside a chain-link fence as firefighters respond to a blaze that broke out at the restaurant early Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) After a devastating fire last month forced the closure of the Matunuck Oyster Bar, state lawmakers are pushing to update a pandemic-era law to help the South Kingstown restaurant temporarily reopen outdoors. Companion bills introduced late last week by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, both South Kingstown Democrats, would amend the state's outdoor dining law to allow the restaurant to run a mobile kitchen in a parking lot across the street through the end of June 2027. 'This legislation is the least we could do to help weather the difficulties resulting from the fire, including keeping some of the restaurant's workers employed during the busy summer season,' McEntee said in a statement. McEntee was the lead sponsor of the 'Take It Outside' initiative that allowed food service establishments to operate outdoors during the pandemic. But House spokesperson Larry Berman said Monday the law never accounted for situations like the May 20 fire that permanently shut down the Matunuck Oyster Bar. Berman said the idea to update the law was brought to the attention of House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi by the restaurant's owner, Perry Raso. Raso did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The legislation would allow restaurants closed due to flood, fire, or other 'casualty' to offer temporary outdoor dining for up to 18 months. Affected restaurants could serve alcohol outside if they already have a liquor license from their respective municipality. Temporary restaurants would still need final approval from the local government but wouldn't need additional exemptions from local ordinances or codes, according to the bill. The agenda for South Kingstown's Town Council Monday evening meeting notes that town officials were asked to support the legislation by Raso's attorney, Beth Noonan. Noonan did not immediately respond to the request for comment, nor did Town Manager James Manni or Council President Rory McEntee, who is the son of Rep. McEntee. At the time of the fire, the Matunuck Oyster Bar employed about 300 workers. About 50 positions could be reinstated if the restaurant was allowed to reopen for al fresco dining, according to a news release issued Friday from the General Assembly. 'As this cherished establishment works to rebuild, it's important we do everything we can to support that process and the many people who rely on the restaurant for their livelihood,' Sosnowski said in a statement. State leaders aren't the only ones trying to help out the Matunuck Oyster Bar. Providence officials are looking at the possibility for Raso to potentially operate out of Waterplace Park. City spokesperson Josh Estrella confirmed that officials are in preliminary conversations with 'multiple vendors' for the events space located along the Woonasquatucket River, but declined to give additional details. The plans were first reported Monday by the Boston Globe. 'We are focused on making this space an asset to Providence,' Estrella said in an emailed statement Monday. McEntee's bill is scheduled for an initial hearing before the House Committee on Small Businesses Tuesday. Sosnowski's legislation will be heard by the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government that same day. Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson both expressed strong support for the legislation. '@MatunuckOyster is an iconic restaurant that's beloved by Rhode Islanders & many visitors who come here just to enjoy MOB's award winning pond-to-plate cuisine,' Shekarchi posted on X Friday evening. Lawson called the bills 'important.' 'While the news of the fire was truly devastating, the way Rhode Islanders have responded to support Perry and his employees has been extraordinary,' Lawson said. 'Along with our partners at the State House and in South Kingstown, we will continue working to support everyone impacted as the restaurant rebuilds.' Gov. Dan McKee also backs the legislation. 'Our administration is committed to supporting Matunuck Oyster Bar—from rapidly assisting impacted workers through the Department of Labor & Training to working closely with ownership on licensing for this temporary setup through the Department of Health,' Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for McKee's office, said in an email. 'We stand ready to offer our continued assistance.' The Rhode Island Office of the State Fire Marshal investigation into what caused the fire remains underway, Matt Touchette, a spokesperson for the office said. Investigators have said it was likely accidental and ruled out commercial cooking equipment as the direct cause of the blaze. Updated to include comment from Gov. Dan McKee's office. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ATO warning over tax deduction Aussies wrongly try to claim every year: ‘You can't'
Tax time is just around the corner and many Australians will be looking for ways to boost their refund or lower their tax bill. But the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is warning people not to try and make a sneaky claim for makeup. Tax Invest Accounting founder Belinda Raso told Yahoo Finance that there were only very limited circumstances where people could claim their makeup and other personal grooming products. This applies even if you are expected to wear makeup at work. 'The only people that would be able to claim makeup is going to be performers and it has to be specific stage makeup. No one else is able to claim makeup,' Raso said. RELATED ATO data reveals $830 tax deductions millions of Aussies miss out on: 'Nothing' $4,400 ATO car tax deduction that most Aussies miss: 'Easy win' Centrelink $1,011 cash boost for Aussie farmers doing it tough: 'Get back on track' The ATO recently responded to a question about whether people could claim their makeup on tax. 'Generally speaking, no you can't,' the ATO warned. 'Personal grooming products (like makeup, skincare and hair care) are generally private expenses. This is even if your employer expects you to maintain a certain appearance.' Along with the exception for performers, the ATO said there may be an exception for some sun protection products, but only if your job requires prolonged outdoor work. Raso said another exception was for flight attendants. 'Flight attendants can actually claim hydrating products. Whether you're above the ground or under the ground, you can actually claim hydrating products for your skin and your hair,' she explained. 'But even though it's a requirement, they can't claim makeup.' The ATO said work-related expenses were one of the key areas on its hit list this year, along with working from home deductions and multiple income sources. ATO assistant commissioner Rob Thomson said work-related expenses needed to have a 'close connection' to your income, and you needed to be able to back it up. 'If your deductions don't pass the 'pub test', it's highly unlikely your claim would meet the ATO's strict criteria',' he said. 'Don't fall into the trap of thinking you can claim expenses like travel to and from work and childcare costs. 'These expenses are personal in nature and cannot be claimed. When in doubt look for guidance on the ATO website or speak with your registered tax agent.' Thomson urged people against just claiming expenses and hoping for the best, and noted that penalties and interest may apply. The ATO has a list of occupation specific guides that explain what you can and can't claim.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ATO warning over popular tax deduction Aussies try to claim each year: ‘Not claimable'
An Australian accountant has warned taxpayers the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will be closely scrutinising claims for work clothing. She has seen taxpayers make mistakes and try to claim what they were not entitled to. Tax Invest Accounting founder Belinda Raso told Yahoo Finance many people believed they could claim clothes they specifically bought for work and only used for work. But this wasn't the case. 'You can't claim what the ATO states is conventional clothing. This is everyday items that you can wear any day of the week, anywhere, not just work,' she said. RELATED ATO warning ahead of $1,288 cost-of-living cash boost: 'Shooting yourself in the foot' Little-known Centrelink benefit gets Aussie single mum $800 cash boost $1,831 Centrelink payment change coming within weeks: 'You'll get more' 'This includes jeans that tradies wear, this includes white shirts or black pants that hospitality workers wear. It also includes corporate wear that office workers wear. 'Although you wouldn't wear a suit anywhere but work, unfortunately, it's not claimable.' Raso said she often sees retail store workers thinking they can claim their clothes because they are required to buy new season fashion and wear it to just because your employer says the clothing is compulsory, it doesn't mean you can claim a tax deduction on it. 'It could have their logo on it but it's not the company clothing and it's available for anyone to buy. That's not claimable,' Raso told Yahoo Finance. If you cannot claim the cost of clothing, you also cannot claim the costs you incur to launder it. 'Most people think the laundry is an automatic deduction, even if they have a uniform that's not claimable,' Raso said. There are three areas where you can claim clothing as a tax deduction. The first one is protective clothing and footwear, including things like hi-vis, nurse's shoes and steel cap boots. Raso said this doesn't include tradies who wear everyday jeans. 'Fashion jeans that you can just buy as conventional clothing are not included, but you will see some protective clothing that uses a denim material that's not specifically jeans, they are going to be claimable,' she said. The second one is occupation-specific clothing that distinctly identifies you as working your job, such as a chef's uniform, a policeman's uniform or a nurse's uniform. The third one is a compulsory work uniform. This will be according to the ATO's definition, rather than your employer. 'So even though an employer says it is compulsory, it doesn't mean that it actually is,' Raso said. Raso said this rule 'stumps every Aussie taxpayer', but basically meant you can't claim conventional, everyday clothing, even if your employer says it is compulsory. The ATO says compulsory work uniforms are registered compulsory uniforms or ones that have logos and are unique and distinctive to your employer.
Eater
21-05-2025
- Business
- Eater
An Iconic New England Oyster Bar Suffers Devastating Fire
A fire broke out at iconic New England destination Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, early on Tuesday, May 20, and caused massive damage to the award-winning restaurant. No injuries were reported, but the restaurant is closed and likely a total loss, according to NBC 10. The Providence Journal reports that a large amount of fire was coming from the two-and-a-half-story building when firefighters responded to calls before 3 a.m. Initially fueled by strong winds, the fire was under control in about an hour and a half, firefighters told the Journal . The cause of the devastating fire is unknown at this time. Owner Perry Rase said in a statement to local media that he is thankful for local support and is determined to get back to business soon. 'We are humbled and grateful for what Matunuck Oyster Bar represents to so many people,' Raso said. 'While we are heartbroken that our doors will be temporarily closed, we are committed to opening them back up and welcoming guests back to our tables as soon as possible.' A GoFundMe has been established to help employees bridge the gap while the restaurant is closed and to help with rebuilding. In April, USA Today named Matunuck Oyster Bar to its 25 Best Restaurants of 2025 list, writing that the restaurant, sitting on Potter Pond, offered the chance to watch oysters being harvested and shucked while dining. That experience of a seafood restaurant overlooking where much of what's on the tables is harvested is part of what makes Matunuck Oyster Bar so special. Kate Masury, executive director of the New England-based nonprofit Eating With the Ecosystem, tells Eater that the oyster bar epitomizes what it means to serve seafood straight from the source. 'They don't just use local ingredients, they celebrate them,' says Masury. 'From clams, oysters, and lobsters to Jonah crab, bay scallops, and Black Sea bass, the menu reflects the incredible diversity of our local waters.' Matunuck's specials often highlight underutilized species, such as monkfish, which helps to introduce hungry diners to new flavors and supports local harvesters. Raso has been a longtime advocate for sustainable aquaculture in New England, and the restaurant was built with pond-to-plate as its backbone. In 2002, Raso founded Matunuck Oyster Farm, a wading-depth aquaculture farm, and by 2008, the oyster farm was selling oysters across the country. He then purchased an old restaurant located on the pond, says David Dadekian of the culinary media group Eat Drink Rhode Island. At the time, there weren't a lot of people farming oysters in New England, according to Dadekian, and Raso had made a big splash with the farm. 'Perry figured the place would be seasonal – a little spot to sell some seafood – and he never saw himself running a restaurant,' Dadekian says. However, the restaurant was a hit and has become a dining destination for hundreds of thousands of people year-round. The New York Times named the restaurant's littlenecks and chouriço dish as one of the best meals tasted in the country in 2023, and it won numerous Wine Spectator awards over the years. Reservations are a must, even on Christmas Eve (an annual tradition for many, this writer included). Matunuck has many fans among Boston chefs, including Bistro du Midi and the Banks Seafood and Steak executive chef Robert Sisca. 'The Matunuck Oyster Bar was somewhere I went about three or four times a year,' Sisca tells Eater. 'I met my friend, who is a chef in Connecticut, there, and it was our halfway point. We love it there because it has the best quality and best value for a seafood restaurant. It is a really special place.' The restaurant also serves organic vegetables from its farm near the pond, has recently opened a shellfish hatchery, and offers educational, family-friendly oyster farm tours. While this summer won't be quite the same without Matunuck Oyster Bar, fans are eagerly awaiting its return. 'Knowing Perry's tenacity, resourcefulness, and business acumen, I would expect to dine at MOB again one day,' Dadekian says. 'Is there a shellfish equivalent to a phoenix?' Disclosure: The author of this story, Tanya Edwards, is an Eating With the Ecosystem board member. Sign up for our newsletter.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What's next for Matunuck Oyster Bar after fire? What we know
A devastating fire at Rhode Island's popular Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown on May 20 left the restaurant closed and likely a total loss. Matunuck Oyster Bar had recently been named one of the top 44 places to eat in America, according to USA TODAY's 2025 Restaurants of the Year list. After the fire, Boon Street Market in Narragansett, home to four casual restaurants, closed its doors to the general public for several hours to provide free food and drinks to Matunuck Oyster Bar staffers and first responders. Many of those first responders started battling the fire before 4 a.m. Tuesday. Restaurant employees had finished their shifts only a few hours earlier. Here's what we know about the fire: Members of the state Fire Marshals Office are investigating, and investigators were seen combing through the remains of the building on May 20 to find the cause of the fire. The South Kingstown Police Department and the Union Fire District Fire Marshals Office are working with the state on the investigation. Union Fire Chief Steve Pinch said the fire seriously damaged the 2½-story building. "I would think they'd probably have to take the building down and start over," he said on May 20. Firefighters found "a large amount of fire" coming from the rear and second floor of the 2½-story Matunuck Oyster Bar when they responded before 4 a.m., Pinch said. Firefighters got the call at about 3:44 a.m. and were there within 8 minutes, he said. The fire was initially fueled by a strong wind "as firefighters aggressively attacked the blaze," the Union Fire District said in a press release. The fire reached the building's void spaces, making the firefighting more challenging, the Fire Department said. Matunuck Oyster Bar owner Perry Raso released a statement through a spokesman, first thanking the firefighters who responded to the early morning blaze. 'While the damage to our building is devastating to me, our patrons, and our employees, we are very thankful no one was injured," he said. Raso said he is working closely with the Department of Labor & Training, the Governor's Office, and other public officials to assist Matunuck Oyster Bar's more than 300 full-time and seasonal employees. He also thanked all the neighbors, patrons, partners, colleagues and friends from Rhode Island and beyond who reached out with offers to help. "We are humbled by this outpouring of kindness from our community, and we are working to explore the most efficient and most impactful avenues available, in order to ensure that our staff receives assistance during this difficult time," Raso said. "We are humbled and grateful for what Matunuck Oyster Bar represents to so many people," he said. "While we are heartbroken that our doors will be temporarily closed, we are committed to opening them back up and welcoming guests back to our tables as soon as possible.' "Our hearts go out to Perry Raso and his staff," James Petrella, owner of Jimmy's Port Side Restaurant in Narragansett, wrote on Facebook. "Please reach out to me if you guys need anything," Petrella wrote, adding his phone number. Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce wrote on Facebook, "Our thoughts are with Perry and the entire team at Matunuck Oyster Bar after a devastating fire overnight. Just as the summer season was about to begin, this beloved local business has been deeply impacted. We know how strong and resilient our community is, and we're wishing them a speedy recovery." Matunuck Oyster Bar is one of Rhode Island's most popular restaurants and, according to USA TODAY's 2025 Restaurants of the Year list, one of the top 44 places to eat in America. Perry Raso started the restaurant as an extension of his oyster farming business in 2009. He founded Matunuck Oyster Farm in 2002 on a 7-acre commercial aquaculture lease, on Potter Pond in East Matunuck, a village in South Kingstown. Because he needed the dock in 2009, Raso purchased a small, seasonal restaurant on the inlet and it's grown from there. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Matunuck Oyster Bar: Rhode Island community rallies, owner to rebuild
