Major goods carriers move to work around the clock, the New York Times highlights America’s favorite restaurants, and HD shines a spotlight on the 2021 Wave of the Future honorees. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
The New York Times celebrates 50 great American restaurants
Ernesto’s restaurant in New York, which was a finalist in the Casual Restaurant category at the 2021 HD Awards; photo by Rachel Vanni
The Times has compiled the 50 U.S. restaurants its food desk critics, reporters, and editors are most excited about. The unranked list, ranging from newcomers to city stalwarts, details offerings from both coasts and everywhere in between. “…Together they reflect the rich mosaic of American dining—from the melding of Thai curry and Texas brisket in the Pacific Northwest, to heritage crab rice on the South Carolina coast, to vegan soul food in the East Village,” it reads. See the full list here.
U.S. to lift travel ban for vaccinated visitors
The Thousand Islands Border Crossing on the Canada–U.S. border, which connects Alexandria Bay, New York to Ivy Lea, Ontario
Starting on November 8th, the U.S. will lift its ban on international visitors from the EU, UK, and other countries, as well as for those entering the country via land borders from Mexico and Canada. According to CNBC, inbound air travelers, including U.S. citizens, will need to be fully vaccinated and show proof of a negative COVID test to travel to the country from abroad. Visitors from Mexico and Canada will now be able to enter the U.S. via land borders or ferry to visit friends or family, or for tourism, writes Reuters. These changes reverse the unprecedented restrictions that have been in place since March 2020 for non-essential travelers.
This company allows you to take your tiny home off the grid
Photo by Jack Robert Photography
Believing that large homes with lots of maintenance and a high mortgage leads to stress, Justin Draplin, CEO of tiny home and cottage company Eclipse, set out to find a way to help people chill. “I want to help people live more fulfilling lives,” closer to nature, he told Dwell. His Greenville, South Carolina construction company builds 399-square-foot cottages with features such as open-play layouts, smart LED lighting, and sizable porches and decks. Sustainable elements include recyclable steel cladding, and incinerating toilets, solar power, and rainwater cachments are options for those who want to live truly off the grid. The cottages start at $100,000 and can ship anywhere in the U.S. In the works are Eclipse Villages, a collection of the cottages formed into tight-knit neighborhoods.
FedEx, UPS shifting to 24/7 model
In response to worldwide supply chain woes, FedEx, UPS, and Walmart are moving to working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the White House announced this week. According to the Hill, the move is a collective effort by the U.S.’s major goods carriers to help alleviate the transportation bottlenecks that have been plaguing the country. With UPS and FedEx accounting for 40 percent of American package volume in 2020, the ramping up is also intended to spur other companies to do the same. “These are major commitments,” a White House official said, “but they’re most effective when every private company along the supply chain does the same thing, and now we’re looking to trucking and freight to expand hours as well to help with the bottlenecks.” The port of Los Angeles will also transition to a 24/7 model, following the Port of Long Beach, which did so three weeks ago.
Meet HD’s 2021 Wave of the Future class
Ashley Wilkins, founder and creative Director of Brooklyn-based Islyn Studio, one of the 2021 Wave of the Future honorees
In case you missed our September issue, which included profiles outstanding Wave of the Future group, read about this year’s honorees, who are pushing boundaries and redefining the status quo when it comes to design. The 10 visionaries—who impart their talents on hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, and everything in between—will be celebrated during next week’s HD NextGen Forum in New Orleans.
More from HD:
Hotel Kansas City Balances Grit and Glamour
Benjamin Moore Reveals Color of the Year 2022
What I’ve Learned Podcast: George Gottl, UXUS
