San Diego restaurants frustrated with confusing, back-and-forth restrictions
Dozens of people came out in North Park on Saturday to show their support for struggling restaurant owners who want to stay open. Author: LaMonica Peters Updated: 11:30 AM PST December 20, 2020
SAN DIEGO Restaurant owners in San Diego are still pushing back against this week’s court ruling that shut them down again. The on again, off again shut-down of restaurants has frustration levels running high in San Diego County. More and more restaurant owners said they won’t shut down despite the public health order.
“As we all know, some businesses have permanently closed. And we keep seeing people who have worked their whole life for their dream, lose everything overnight,” said Alondra Ruiz, who owns The Village San Diego in North Park.
San Diego Union-Tribune | Dec 11, 2020 | News | 5
After spending thousands of dollars on a tented, outdoor dining space for customers at her nearly year-old vegan restaurant in North Park, owner Alondra Ruiz made a risky decision. She would stay open in defiance of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest stay-at-home order barring indoor and outdoor dining.
“I hope this inspires small businesses to stand up,” Ruiz said, addressing her followers on an Instagram post that drew hundreds of comments, many of them supportive. “Fight for your business that you invested so much time and energy and money into it, to stay open and fight for your rights, stand up for your family, for your employees, your community.”
The Village San Diego, on El Cajon Boulevard, is among a small minority of local businesses across the county who have decided to ignore a recently imposed regional order requiring some businesses to shut down completely while allowing others, like restaurants, to continue operating, but only for takeout and delivery service.
Advertisement
While several commercial venues, including some gyms and dining and drinking establishments, are openly defying the newly imposed requirements, most owners on Wednesday declined to talk about their decision. Ruiz, though, gladly welcomed the opportunity to explain her thinking.
“It’s our peaceful way to protest,” said Ruiz, standing outside her eatery as a few customers sat outside at amply spaced tables under a series of illuminated white tents. “A lot of my customers wanted me to stay open and that’s what inspired me. All the servers are wearing masks, I don’t think we are doing anything wrong.”