Yuma restaurants extend their premises during pandemic
Sun STaFF WrITEr
Gearing up for its fifth anniversary, the COVID-19 pandemic derailed Crouse’s Flat Top Grill plans for 2020. When the pandemic hit Yuma, like other restaurants, Crouse’s was forced to close its doors to dine-in customers and only serve to-go orders.
“It put a real pinch on business. It dropped dramatically, like everyone else’s,” said Randy Crouse, who owns the restaurant located at 2855 S. 4th Ave., along with his son, Cory Crouse.
When restaurants were allowed to open again, with 50% occupancy, a lot of Crouse regulars returned, but some customers feared going inside an enclosed space and stayed away.
Then, in September, Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls changed his March 15 emergency proclamation to allow businesses that were closed or open with limited capacity to apply for a nofee permit to extend their operations to outdoor areas to accommodate additional patrons while allowing for social distancing.
“Supporting small businesses impacted by the state-mandated COVID-19 closures in any way we can has been critically important to me, and can make the difference between closing for now and closing forever,” Nicholls told the Yuma Sun at the time.
“These businesses have long endured the fight to make it through the pandemic. This amendment was one small way our local government could provide support, in addition to the grant funding opportunities that came earlier in the summer. It allows them to get back to work in a safe and healthy way by utilizing the open air space,” Nicholls added.
With evidence indicating that people are safer outdoors, City Administrator Philip Rodriguez noted that the new policy might provide both businesses and patrons additional confidence that it is safe to shop and dine while maintaining effective social distance.
Companies can expand into the areas in front of their businesses as well as into parking lots and the public rights-of-way immediately adjacent to their existing businesses. Patrons located outdoors do not count against indoor occupancy restrictions.
Although restaurants stand to benefit from extending their premises, the policy also applies to other businesses, such as gyms or health clubs, dance studios or other retail operations.
No fee is associated with this permit. The applicant needs to specify on a map where the extension would occur. They also need to
SEE DINING/B2