Latest news with #TheHamilton
Qatar Tribune
05-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
In US capital, Trump tariffs bite into restaurant profits
Agencies Brazilian coffee beans, French champagne and Chinese teas -- drinks are a profit driver for U.S. restaurants, but higher import costs have eaten into margins and fed into consumer prices in the three months since President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping global tariffs. A stone's throw from the White House, a restaurant group that takes pride in dishing up fresh local meat and produce has found itself having to raise prices on its menus. 'The reality is, we have to pass along some of those to our guests,' said John Filkins, corporate beverage director at Clyde's Restaurant Group. 'Could be anywhere from 50 cents to $1 on certain wines by the glass, or spirits, or some of our food menu items.' 'We've seen huge increases in coffee and in teas, and we're beginning to see some of those increases in food, as well as paper products coming on through as well,' he added. Clyde's, which opened in the 1960s in Washington, has more than a dozen restaurants in and around the U.S. capital. One of them is The Hamilton in downtown Washington, where drinks prices have ticked up. While management has tried to limit increases, Filkins said this has been tough. Businesses have encountered snarled supply chains and higher costs since Trump imposed fresh tariffs after returning to the presidency in January. In April, the president unleashed his widest-ranging salvo, a 10 percent duty on imports from most trading partners. This is expected to surge to higher levels for dozens of economies. Leaders like Filkins are eyeing a deadline next Wednesday when the steeper tariffs are due to kick in. These are customized to each partner, with the level for European Union products rising to 20 percent and that for Japanese goods jumping to 24 percent unless they strike deals to avert or lower the rates. Filkins warned that the longer tariffs remain in place, the fewer small, independent distributors, importers and restaurants there might be. 'The hope is we don't see tariffs to the extent where we're seeing them any longer,' he added. 'Restaurants are, at the end of the day, typically low cash, low margin.' A typical outfit probably runs 'in the single digits in terms of profit margin,' he noted. This means that cutting out 10 percent to 15 percent of their profit for wine by the glass, for example, could prove a significant blow. Clyde's sources coffee beans from places like Brazil and Indonesia for its blends, while getting teas from India and China. 'Over the course of the last probably six months, we've seen about a 20 to 30 percent increase of that cost,' Filkins said. This is partly because suppliers and distributors are not only paying the 10 percent tariff but forking out more due to exchange rates. Imports from China face a 30 percent tariff currently even though Washington and Beijing have temporarily lowered tit-for-tat levies on each other's goods. Without a deal, products from Indonesia face a 32 percent duty come Wednesday, and the rate for India spikes to 26 percent. 'For liquor, beer and wine, most of the wine we import comes from the EU,' Filkins said, noting the impact is biggest on products from France, Italy, Spain and Portugal so far. Yet, his company is trying to hold off passing on additional costs entirely. 'Consumers are not comfortable spending more in the current climate,' said Filkins. The world's biggest economy has fared well after the COVID-19 pandemic, helped by a solid labor market that allowed consumers to keep spending. But economic growth has slowed alongside hiring. Economists are monitoring to see if tariffs feed more broadly into inflation this summer, and households become more selective with purchases. With Trump's approach of announcing, adjusting and halting tariffs roiling financial markets and fueling uncertainty -- forcing businesses to put investments on hold -- Filkins hopes for an easing of levies. 'It's hard for all of us to forecast what's going to happen in the next eight days,' said Filkins. 'We can't base all of our decisions on speculation.'
Japan Today
04-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Today
In U.S. capital, Trump tariffs bite into restaurant profits
John Filkins, corporate beverage director at Clyde's Restaurant Group, said businesses are having to pass on some cost hikes to customers By Beiyi SEOW Brazilian coffee beans, French champagne and Chinese teas -- drinks are a profit driver for U.S. restaurants, but higher import costs have eaten into margins and fed into consumer prices in the three months since President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping global tariffs. A stone's throw from the White House, a restaurant group that takes pride in dishing up fresh local meat and produce has found itself having to raise prices on its menus. "The reality is, we have to pass along some of those to our guests," said John Filkins, corporate beverage director at Clyde's Restaurant Group. "Could be anywhere from 50 cents to $1 on certain wines by the glass, or spirits, or some of our food menu items." "We've seen huge increases in coffee and in teas, and we're beginning to see some of those increases in food, as well as paper products coming on through as well," he added. Clyde's, which opened in the 1960s in Washington, has more than a dozen restaurants in and around the U.S. capital. One of them is The Hamilton in downtown Washington, where drinks prices have ticked up. While management has tried to limit increases, Filkins said this has been tough. Businesses have encountered snarled supply chains and higher costs since Trump imposed fresh tariffs after returning to the presidency in January. In April, the president unleashed his widest-ranging salvo, a 10 percent duty on imports from most trading partners. This is expected to surge to higher levels for dozens of economies. Leaders like Filkins are eyeing a deadline next Wednesday when the steeper tariffs are due to kick in. These are customized to each partner, with the level for European Union products rising to 20 percent and that for Japanese goods jumping to 24 percent unless they strike deals to avert or lower the rates. Filkins warned that the longer tariffs remain in place, the fewer small, independent distributors, importers and restaurants there might be. "The hope is we don't see tariffs to the extent where we're seeing them any longer," he added. "Restaurants are, at the end of the day, typically low cash, low margin." A typical outfit probably runs "in the single digits in terms of profit margin," he noted. This means that cutting out 10 percent to 15 percent of their profit for wine by the glass, for example, could prove a significant blow. Clyde's sources coffee beans from places like Brazil and Indonesia for its blends, while getting teas from India and China. "Over the course of the last probably six months, we've seen about a 20 to 30 percent increase of that cost," Filkins said. This is partly because suppliers and distributors are not only paying the 10 percent tariff but forking out more due to exchange rates. Imports from China face a 30 percent tariff currently even though Washington and Beijing have temporarily lowered tit-for-tat levies on each other's goods. Without a deal, products from Indonesia face a 32 percent duty come Wednesday, and the rate for India spikes to 26 percent. "For liquor, beer and wine, most of the wine we import comes from the EU," Filkins said, noting the impact is biggest on products from France, Italy, Spain and Portugal so far. Yet, his company is trying to hold off passing on additional costs entirely. "Consumers are not comfortable spending more in the current climate," said Filkins. The world's biggest economy has fared well after the COVID-19 pandemic, helped by a solid labor market that allowed consumers to keep spending. But economic growth has slowed alongside hiring. Economists are monitoring to see if tariffs feed more broadly into inflation this summer, and households become more selective with purchases. With Trump's approach of announcing, adjusting and halting tariffs roiling financial markets and fueling uncertainty -- forcing businesses to put investments on hold -- Filkins hopes for an easing of levies. "It's hard for all of us to forecast what's going to happen in the next eight days," said Filkins. "We can't base all of our decisions on speculation." © 2025 AFP
Irish Examiner
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Wedding of the Week: J1 in San Fran leads to Kerry proposal and big day in Clare
Once school's out, it's summer romance season. For Megan Lawlor and James Ensor, their sunshine chapters have unfolded into a life-long love story. Megan, a primary school teacher, says: 'We met in San Francisco while we were on our J1 in the summer of 2016. We were introduced by a mutual friend, Tomás Barry.' Six years later, another holiday trip set the scene for the engagement. As Megan and James — who works for Google — motored around Kerry in a campervan, they decided to stop off at Dingle marina, which is where James popped the question in August 2022. Megan Lawlor and James Ensor. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming Their pal Tomás played a key role yet again, as groomsman; as Megan, from Ballinasloe, Co Galway, and James, from Sandymount, Dublin, were married recently by celebrant Gráinne McGibney, Atlantic Vows, at the Armada Hotel, Spanish Point, Co Clare — with a reception at the same venue. 'Gráinne made the ceremony so personal. Everyone was raving about how great she was,' says Megan. 'A golf cart transported me, my dad, and the bridal party the short journey across from Armada House [where they got ready] to the Armada Hotel. The ceremony music was by Rachel Goode and the flowers were kindly sourced and arranged by the groom's mother, Lydia Ensor.' Megan Lawlor and James Ensor. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming Lydia and the groom's father Simon Ensor, along with Megan's parents Caroline and Robert Lawlor, celebrated with the newlyweds, as did the bride's grandfather, James Lawlor Sr. 'It was very special to have my grandfather in attendance on the day, in his 87th year,' says Megan. 'The speeches were also a highlight, especially my dad's — as I am an only child, it was an emotional day for him and my mam.' Megan's close friends Áine Kinsella, Ciara Corbett, Claire Keane, Jane Corbett, and her cousin Sinéad Doherty were her bridesmaids. James had his friends by his side also, with Christian Stevens as best man and Andrew Cloonan, William Shanahan, and Oran Mulvey joining Tomás as groomsmen. Megan Lawlor and James Ensor. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming Their big day was 'full of laughter, love and lots of dancing', says Megan: 'The food at the Armada Hotel was a standout highlight for the guests, especially the drinks reception snacks [tacos and bao buns] and the duck starter at the meal.' Brian Dalton performed the entertainment for the drinks reception. 'He set the perfect vibe, accompanied by his friend Johnny,' says Megan. Mixtape had everyone dancing later in the evening. 'Our first dance song was an acoustic version of Times Like These by the Foo Fighters [James's favourite band].' Megan Lawlor and James Ensor. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming Megan bought her dream dress at The One by Sinead Corcoran in Rathmines: 'It is called 'The Hamilton' by Moira Hughes and was so comfy to wear! The veil and earrings were from Kyna Maree online, and I wore shoes from Asos.' Eilish Moran was the makeup artist. 'My own hairdresser from Dublin, Kelly Griffin, assisted by her friend Ruth, did my hair,' says Megan. Megan Lawlor and James Ensor with their wedding party. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming The groomsmen's suits were from Tector, Rathmines. Photography was by David Olsthoorn and Laurie Brosnan of Awake and Dreaming ( with videographer Kevin Caffrey of Little Bear Film. The newlyweds spent a week in Morocco as 'part one' of their honeymoon. 'We plan to go away somewhere else in the summer for 'Honeymoon: Part Two'.' says Megan. She and James live in Harold's Cross, Dublin, in the house they bought and renovated last year. If you would like your wedding to feature in Weekend, email
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Randy Travis appears at Grammys on the Hill, wife credits AI song for 'whole new energy'
WASHINGTON – Nearly 12 years ago, Randy Travis flatlined three times in the midst of a stroke. The debilitating effects of the medical trauma left him mostly unable to speak and walk. But the country singer whose career thrived from the '80s to the '00s with No. 1 hits including 'Diggin' Up Bones,' 'I Told You So' and 'Forever and Ever, Amen,' made an unexpected return to the charts in 2024 through the use of artificial intelligence. 'Where That Came From' was created using software to recreate Travis' distinctive twang and merge it with a 2011 recording of the song. On Tuesday, Travis was hailed as the 2025 Creators Leadership Award honoree at the annual Grammys on the Hill event, which pairs the music industry with Congress to advocate for artists' rights. The topic of AI – which also took the spotlight at last year's gathering – sparked conversation among musicians and producers including Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying, who hosted the event, singer/producer Kenyon Dixon and renowned producer/composer Giles Martin. But while most discussions focused on the negative aspects of AI – stealing the vocals, notes and likenesses of public figures without permission – Travis represents a productive use of the technology. With wife Mary Davis holding his arm, a bright-eyed Travis, who still struggles to walk and talk, said it felt 'wonderful' to be recognized while Davis expounded on Travis' return. 'It's so important for him to give back to music what music gave to him,' she said as the pair stood on the red carpet at The Hamilton in D.C. 'I wanted so bad to hear his voice again and when we had the opportunity, not only did I want to do it selfishly, but to see him at the soundboard working elbow to elbow with his producer, there was a whole new energy out of Randy.' Travis is expected to be on Capitol Hill Wednesday to help reintroduce the bipartisan No FAKES Act (Nurture Originals, Foster Art and Keep Entertainment Safe). First proposed in 2023 by Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del.; Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., the legislation has been tweaked and aims to protect Americans from deepfakes and voice clones, allow platforms to promptly remove unauthorized deepfakes and protect First Amendment use for news reporting and satire. Along with Travis, Reps. Linda Sánchez, D-Calif., and Ron Estes, R-Kan., were also honored for their efforts to assist independent artists with the HITS Act (Help Independent Tracks Succeed), which allows tax relief for the cost of sound recordings. The 90-minute event featured performances from several artists including Paul Overstreet, who co-wrote 'Forever And Ever, Amen' and urged the crowd of about 200 to sing along as he played guitar; soul/gospel singer DOE, who moved listeners with her tender ode to a friend in need, 'I'm So Glad We Met'; and Hoying, who ended the night with an impressive medley of 20 songs that won Record of the Year at the Grammys, including the Eagles' 'Hotel California' and Roberta Flack's 'Killing Me Softly With His Song.' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Randy Travis represents a positive use of AI at Grammys on the Hill
USA Today
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Randy Travis appears at Grammys on the Hill, wife credits AI song for 'whole new energy'
Randy Travis appears at Grammys on the Hill, wife credits AI song for 'whole new energy' Show Caption Hide Caption Who Holds The Record For The Most Grammy Wins Of All Time? Beyoncé holds the record for the most Grammy wins in history, with 32 awards. She cemented her status as one of the most successful artists in Grammy history. Georg Solti is next with 31 wins. unbranded - Entertainment WASHINGTON – Nearly 12 years ago, Randy Travis flatlined three times in the midst of a stroke. The debilitating effects of the medical trauma left him mostly unable to speak and walk. But the country singer whose career thrived from the '80s to the '00s with No. 1 hits including 'Diggin' Up Bones,' 'I Told You So' and 'Forever and Ever, Amen,' made an unexpected return to the charts in 2024 through the use of artificial intelligence. 'Where That Came From' was created using software to recreate Travis' distinctive twang and merge it with a 2011 recording of the song. On Tuesday, Travis was hailed as the 2025 Creators Leadership Award honoree at the annual Grammys on the Hill event, which pairs the music industry with Congress to advocate for artists' rights. The topic of AI – which also took the spotlight at last year's gathering – sparked conversation among musicians and producers including Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying, who hosted the event, singer/producer Kenyon Dixon and renowned producer/composer Giles Martin. But while most discussions focused on the negative aspects of AI – stealing the vocals, notes and likenesses of public figures without permission – Travis represents a productive use of the technology. With wife Mary Davis holding his arm, a bright-eyed Travis, who still struggles to walk and talk, said it felt 'wonderful' to be recognized while Davis expounded on Travis' return. 'It's so important for him to give back to music what music gave to him,' she said as the pair stood on the red carpet at The Hamilton in D.C. 'I wanted so bad to hear his voice again and when we had the opportunity, not only did I want to do it selfishly, but to see him at the soundboard working elbow to elbow with his producer, there was a whole new energy out of Randy.' Travis is expected to be on Capitol Hill Wednesday to help reintroduce the bipartisan No FAKES Act (Nurture Originals, Foster Art and Keep Entertainment Safe). First proposed in 2023 by Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del.; Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., the legislation has been tweaked and aims to protect Americans from deepfakes and voice clones, allow platforms to promptly remove unauthorized deepfakes and protect First Amendment use for news reporting and satire. Along with Travis, Reps. Linda Sánchez, D-Calif., and Ron Estes, R-Kan., were also honored for their efforts to assist independent artists with the HITS Act (Help Independent Tracks Succeed), which allows tax relief for the cost of sound recordings. The 90-minute event featured performances from several artists including Paul Overstreet, who co-wrote 'Forever And Ever, Amen' and urged the crowd of about 200 to sing along as he played guitar; soul/gospel singer DOE, who moved listeners with her tender ode to a friend in need, 'I'm So Glad We Met'; and Hoying, who ended the night with an impressive medley of 20 songs that won Record of the Year at the Grammys, including the Eagles' 'Hotel California' and Roberta Flack's 'Killing Me Softly With His Song.'
