Governor Gavin Newsom delivered good news to restaurant owners by signing several laws that allow them to continue serving alcohol at meals at outdoor tables as well as selling food with alcoholic beverages to go .
The measures will be in effect for up to one year after the governor lifts the state of emergency of the covid pandemic – 19.
“Many states of emergency remain in law for years, so we look forward to several years of relief from these policies,” said Patrick George, spokesman for the California Restaurant Association (CRA).
“This is going to benefit businesses especially now that we have to ask for proof of vaccination,” said Marco Uriarte, owner of the restaurant Emporio Sushi & Mariscos with two locations in Orange and Downey.
Uriarte says that for them the sale of alcohol in food is essential because people like seafood with a beer, a drink or a glass of wine.
“Also in the food that they come to pick up at the restaurant, they ask for micheladas, chamochelas and other prepared drinks.”
The AB 61 provides flexibility for restaurants to continue selling food with alcohol service outside. This includes a more efficient process for restaurants to obtain permits without going through financial hurdles and bureaucrats.
The B’s 314 increases the time that an event food sales permit ( catering ) can be used in the same place in a period of one year.
The B’s 389 extends for 5 years the capacity of restaurants to sell beer, wine and cocktails in meals that the customer picks up .
“These measures together will help restaurants to stand up again and it will provide more choice to consumers, whose lives have changed dramatically since the beginning of the pandemic, “said Jot Condie, president of the California Restaurant Association.
He affirmed that while restaurants recover from the fall of the Delta variant, this legislation will generate opportunities and confidence.
“These key provisions will allow restaurants to serve the public and set the course for the long road to economic recovery.”
Condie recalled that from the spring of 2020, many people began to order take-out food and have continued to do so.
“The possibility of ordering a drink with a takeout, in an expanded space outside a restaurant, or expanding the use of banquet food permits, will allow restaurants to stabilize and expand options for serving food to the public. ”
The CRA expects the expansion of cookouts to continue to be critical for many community restaurants, as Californians return to local restaurants in greater numbers.
For companies that temporarily expanded their facilities, the legislation paves the way for these changes to last longer than the pandemic.
“Neighborhood restaurants are the backbone of communities throughout California, but too much is hanging from the tightrope, said Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, author of Measure AB 61.
“Outdoor dining has been a critical lifesaver that has helped these establishments keep their doors open during these challenging times,” he added.
The AB 61 provides restaurants with the regulatory flexibility to increase the capacity of serving outdoors and selling alcohol at meals.
The covid pandemic – 19 has challenged the small he owns businesses throughout the state particularly in the restaurant industry.
While the National Restaurant Association reports modest job growth in the last 2 For months, with California leading the nation in earnings, employment remains below pre-pandemic levels and nearly 4 out of 5 restaurants are understaffed.
In August of 2021, California also had 200, 800 fewer eating and drinking establishments than in August 2019.
Madelyn Alfano, owner of María’s Italian Kitchen with several restaurants in the San Fernando Valley, said that the AB 61 will help address the issues restaurants face by creating outdoor spaces to continue serving our customers.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and the ability to continue providing delicious meals to the community.”
Inland Empire Congresswoman Norma Torres announced today that more than 130 restaurants in the district 35 have received $ 41. 800. 291 under the Restaurant Revitalization Fund of the American Rescue Plan.
These funds are part of the American Rescue Plan, and have provided crucial assistance to restaurants and related businesses that have had to close or operate at limited capacity during the covid pandemic – 19.
“Small businesses, particularly restaurants, are an irreplaceable component of our local economy, and have been among the most affected by this pandemic, ”said Congresswoman Torres. “This money has been instrumental in keeping those restaurants running and making sure they can pay their workers.”
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund, created by the American Rescue Plan and operated by the Small Business Administration, has allocated $ 28. 600 millions to support restaurants nationwide.