The parklets that many enterprise constructed to accommodate outside eating throughout the pandemic are actually inflicting controversy.
The road patios in entrance of a number of eating places throughout the area are a lifeline for some enterprise house owners, however quickly there shall be limits put in place in Palo Alto.
Rickey Fleming of Osteria Restaurant in downtown Palo Alto mentioned there is no telling what would have occurred to the enterprise with out the parklets.
Nancy Coupal, proprietor of Coupa Cafe, agrees.
“They had been whole adrenaline. I imply, they completely helped us get by COVID,” she mentioned.
The parklet is so well-liked at Coupa Cafe that it extends out in entrance of the enterprise subsequent door, and there lies the controversy.
Retailers have been complaining that’s what’s hurting their enterprise.
Subsequently, starting subsequent June, enterprise house owners like Coupal will want permission from next-door retailers if their parklets lengthen out in entrance of their shops.
Coupal mentioned her neighbor already mentioned no, so she’ll need to reduce her parklet.
“Out of doors eating is right here to remain,” Coupal mentioned. “Any progressive metropolis has it, and Palo Alto begins requiring this … we’re going to fall behind our neighboring cities.”
Different cities, resembling San Jose, have closed off streets completely to permit outside eating.
NBC Bay Space reached out to Cafe Coupa’s neighbor, however haven’t acquired a response.
Forest Spa Boutique is one other neighboring enterprise, and proprietor Bianca Dejong mentioned she was hesitant of parklets at first. Nonetheless, her opinion modified when she observed the elevated foot visitors coming into her retailer.
“It truly occurred to end up principally good as a result of persons are sitting on the market on the street they usually see your corporation,” Dejong mentioned. “It is totally different when individuals drive by in a automotive and it is a break up second that they see your retailer.”