DeLand allows open containers
Fuller: People can drink on downtown sidewalks from specifically marked containers.
As Florida bans people from drinking in bars because of the coronavirus pandemic, downtown DeLand patrons will soon be able to walk around with wine, beer or spirits on Friday and Saturday nights.
The City Commission has approved allowing people to drink on downtown sidewalks from 5 to 10 p.m. on those days, but the beverages must be sold in specifically marked and sealed containers.
Downtown businesses will need time to obtain those cups, said Bill Budzinski, owner of the Elusive Grape wine bar. He expects it will take until mid-September for people to actually be able to take advantage of the rule change.
The changes by the city about 45 minutes north of Orlando also allows for some downtown streets to close and tables to be set up for people to dine outside on Friday and Saturday nights. The moves are aimed to help the area near Stetson University that is known for its independent restaurants, bars and shops.
“I think clearly the downtown has become a very vibrant part of our community and that vibrancy has been impaired by the COVID crisis,” said Mayor Bob Apgar.
Bars that are not also licensed for food service have been banned across the state from selling drinks for people to have on site because of the coronavirus pandemic, but alcohol can continue to be sold in sealed containers for off-premise consumption. Restaurants have also been subject to seating capacity restrictions.
Budzinski, whose Elusive Grape is licensed as a restaurant, said the changes aren’t just about the drinks.
“We don’t want this to be an outdoor party,” Budzinski said. “This is more like what can we do downtown to encourage people to come here and one of them is being able to freely walk around and shop and dine and congregate and do so safely.”
He hopes the eased open-container restriction can be extended to every day of the week and not just the weekend.
Apgar said the city will keep an eye on any issues, and the results could affect how long the change lasts.
“I think just like anything, staff will be monitoring, the commission will be getting reports about the success or things that happened that maybe shouldn’t have happened and whether they need to be addressed in some fashion,” Apgar said.
Dandelion Cafe closes for good
Orlando’s Dandelion Community Cafe has permanently closed amid the coronavirus pandemic and after employees there said they were organizing to address issues with the restaurant.
The vegetarian cafe at 618 N. Thornton Ave. posted on its website that it had closed because of a “variety of factors outside of our control” including the impact of coronavirus.
Opened in 2006, the eatery had hosted art shows and live music and offered a menu of organic options. It was named the best vegetarian restaurant in Florida by Mental Floss in 2017.
“It is with a heavy heart, but clear mind, that I make the decision to per
manently close our special place,” a post signed by founder Chris Blanc on the website said. “It has proven extremely difficult to operate a business in this current environment. The last few months have required an almost complete change to our business in the way we serve our community, at great financial cost.”
The cafe’s voicemail, which was unable to accept messages Tuesday morning, said it was closed until further notice.
Most of the cafe’s staff had recently signed a letter presented to management announcing they were forming a union, according to Kyle Kern, secretary-treasurer of the Central Florida Industrial Workers of the World labor union.
The group, dubbed “The Seeds,” did not intend to move toward contract negotiations or a National Labor Relations Board election, but wanted to address grievances with the cafe directly as a group, citing issues such as low pay compared with rising rent costs, Kern said.
In an Aug. 11 Facebook post, the group said the cafe had “locked out” its staff for organizing. Pickets were held outside the restaurant.
“The owners of Dandelion have decided they will destroy their entire business to avoid sitting down with their employees to discuss serious problems with their workplace,” Kern said in an emailed statement Monday night. “This is the lowest of the low.”
Kern said about 15 hourly employees would be losing their jobs because of the move.