Jomsky, Mark
Subject:FW: Outside Dining Program Public comment
From;
Date: February 24, 2024 at 9:25:01 AM PST
To: "Klug, David" <dklug(5)cityofpasadena.net>
Subject: Outside Dining Program
Reply-To: [email protected]
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As an independent, female owned restaurant owner for over 20 years, I have consistently looked at ways to keep my business going through many obstacles over the years but COVID by far challenged so many of my colleagues and we had to think more efficiently and smarter to stay open and maintain the health of our customers and staff. When the pandemic hit, the city mobilized and helped us find a way to keep our doors open by allowing us to have outside dining. With that, we have continued to evolve and thrive and our customers feel confident knowing it's the new norm. Restaurants with the outside dining aspect are one of the strongest reasons that we continue to serve our community and meet their needs. As a matter of fact, many of our on-line restaurant reviews praise our outdoor dining and one of the reasons they praise their visit. This alone, attracts patrons from all over Southern California because as we know it's the reviews that's attract the consumers in many cases.
Although we are on the recovery side of COVID, it's still prevalent in addition to prime flu season and we find that customers still have a heightened awareness of open air and more social distancing and are reluctant to be seated inside in many cases.
Our outside dining area (tent) has worked since we were able to get it started but the costs to make it a more permanent structure are prohibitive. People assume that because Gale's has been around for so long that we are "bullet proof". Coming back from the Pandemic has been a lesson in how to work with the current work force and economy. It is certainly not easy for anyone, no matter how long they have been in the community and with the continued cost of supplies, food and labor it seems like an uphill battle many days.
This program will allow all of the restaurant community to have a better chance to succeed and thrive.
We appreciate the support from the City of Pasadena and consider them to be a valuable partner and lifesaver for helping us during the height of the pandemic and the continued aftermath and giving us another opportunity to grow.
1 2/26/2024
Item 21
McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
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Marjorie Lindbeck
Monday, February 26, 2024 12:47 PM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
Agenda Item 21; on-street dining
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To: Pasadena City Council
From: Margie Lindbeck
I am writing in support of adoption of the Staff Recommendation to approve accepting the $1.5 million in grant funding that is specifically directed to on-street dining and that is slated for approval at this evening's Council meeting.
The Playhouse Village Association has expended significant funds to support our restaurants by designing, building and installing several dining pavilions on Colorado Boulevard. The funding necessary to remove these each year for the Rose Parade is significant and not sustainable without support from the City.
We are hopeful that there will be funding within these funds that Judy Chu was instrumental in directing to Pasadena for this purpose that we will also be able to "beautify" the rather ugly barriers that abut these pavilion. I am sure that California Community Foundation will be helpful in administering these funds on behalf of the City and for the benefit of all residents who enjoy on-street dining and of the restaurants who have survived because to it.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Margie Lindbeck
Resident and Property Owner
Marjorie Lindbeck
1 2/26/2024
Item 21