By Charly SHELTON

With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise in record numbers, social distancing for the restaurants that have reopened for business is more important than ever. This means tables must be spaced farther apart to keep at least six feet between parties, reducing the dining capacity  at each restaurant. This means fewer tables are available for hungry diners and less money is being made by the businesses. Restaurants in Glendale have felt this reduction all across the city and, recently, the City government stepped up to offer a solution.

Al Fresco Glendale is a program established by the City to create small outside seating areas in the parking spaces in front of restaurants by bordering the area in cement K-rails, the same protective measures that guard against flooding debris flows and partition one side of freeways from the other side. These K-rails were installed recently in front of participating businesses in Montrose Shopping Park and are undergoing a beautification process to become “parklets,” surrounded in shrubs and filled with tables, chairs and umbrellas for nearby restaurants to expand their seating areas outdoors. These parklets will allow the restaurants to comply with the new ordinances on social distancing as well as current restrictions on indoor dining.

“The City of Glendale, from the time they started talking to us to the time [the K-rails were] installed, it was quick and easy,” said Corey Grijalva, owner of Joselito’s. “They wanted our input when everything came in; they were just super helpful. The plants have to be in a certain way to create barriers for the alcohol beverage control and they helped me out on that. They were really good with it.”

Many businesses in the Montrose Shopping Park were alerted to the coming parklets through the Montrose Shopping Park Association meeting, through the City newsletter and even through door-to-door visits from City officials. Because some businesses remain closed during the shutdown contacting them became infeasible. But many restaurants asked to be part of the program to reclaim some tables.

“To date, nearly 15 Montrose businesses have applied or intend to participate in Al Fresco Glendale, which includes those that will be extending sidewalk dining service in the public right-of-way, including the parklets,” said Jennifer McLain Hiramoto, deputy director of Economic Development with the City of Glendale. “Businesses include Basin 141, Blue Fish Japanese Restaurant, Black Cow, Star Cafe, Seasoning Alley, Joselito’s, Gio’s Bakery, Mamas and Papas Pizzeria, Froyo Life, Thee Elbow Room and Shawarma Kingdom. Other businesses, such as Casa Cordoba and Avignone’s, are exploring expanding outdoor dining service in front of their business. We expect this figure to continue to increase.”

While the K-rails are in place now, there are still a few aspects to tidy up in some locations. Finishing touches will be added over the next week or so to get the parklets to their final form that will remain until full capacity inside seating is restored.

“There are still several steps. Plants, tables, chairs and umbrellas were delivered to the parklets on Monday [June 29]. Participating businesses are now responsible for securing tables and chairs, and parklet hours will correspond with the hours of the businesses,” Hiramoto said. “Generally, the parklets are to be utilized as an extension of the service area of participating businesses. Plants will continue to be installed in the next two weeks and on Monday, July 6 decals will be installed on the K-rails.”

Currently the K-rails are in place and the seating is rolled out at many locations, and the parklets seem to be a hit.

“It’s been full pretty much every night since we’ve gotten them,” Grijalva said.

For more information on Al Fresco Glendale, visit https://tinyurl.com/y9pxqgg4.

Editor’s note: As this story went to press, Gov. Newsom closed indoor dining; however, the City of Glendale said it has not had time to respond to the order. The parklets at this time are open for business.

  Charly Shelton, Mary Okeefe