CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Another initiative sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic is coming to an end.
Businesses along Third Avenue in Chula Vista no longer have outdoor dining parklets the city approved to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.
The outdoor dining areas had become a popular staple of the busy Third Avenue, giving customers the ability to enjoy the outside. A total of seven parklets were shut down.
Resident Brewing lost about half of its capacity when their parklet closed Tuesday night.
"It takes away our potential to have great crowds, generate revenue, and hopefully those people will come back," President Marty Ochs said. "Now we’re limited to a few spaces outside and mostly inside."
Ochs said two parking spots will be restored in place of their parklet. Resident Brewing cleared out tables and chairs from the parklet, but left the frame for the city to remove. The City of Chula Vista told CBS 8 they will begin taking down parklets businesses leave on Wednesday. The city said they will not charge or fine businesses for the parklet removal.
Down the street, Groundswell Brewing Company Owner/Operator Kevin Rhodes is bummed the parklet will be shut down, but understood the city's reasoning.
"For us, it's not that bad, and so we're just going to do our best to adapt, that's what we do," Rhodes said.
Groundswell Brewing has a back patio and can continue to offer outdoor dining. However, many other businesses aren't able to adapt as easily.
"We can reconfigure inside, reconfigure the back patio, also put some tables out here," Rhodes said. "Net loss to us, maybe 10%."
Permits first issued in summer 2020
The City began issuing temporary permits in summer 2020 to allow businesses to expand outdoors on public property. Most permits were set to expire on June 30, but the city extended the deadline to support summer activities.
One of the main issues is parking. Some patio areas can take up about four spaces.
A spokesperson told CBS 8 in May, “The parklets are negatively impacting more businesses than they are helping because not all can benefit from the temporary permits. With the parklets on public land, the City must prioritize equitable access.”
City exploring other options
However, this might not be the end for outdoor dining in the South Bay.
A city subcommittee is set to explore options to develop a city-wide plan for outdoor dining to benefit both businesses and patrons.
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