With indoor dining again suspended in San Diego County due to rising cases of COVID-19, the City of Poway has quickly put into action an idea to help Poway restaurants.
At the July 7 council meeting, Mayor Steve Vaus asked council to approve purchasing picnic tables to be loaned to Poway restaurants, at no cost, for outdoor dining until indoor operations are allowed again. Once the restrictions are lifted the picnic tables will be moved to local parks.
It’s a simple idea that the mayor described as “small town action.”
“When things get tough, you have to get creative,” said Mayor Steve Vaus. “We had already cut red tape to allow outdoor dining. Providing picnic tables at no cost is just another simple way to help save businesses and jobs.”
By noon the day following the meeting, the city’s Public Works department delivered four picnic tables to Filippi’s Pizza Grotto.
“We want these people to be able to stay in business,” Vaus said referring to all Poway restaurants. “They are part of our family.”
As of July 24, the city has distributed 39 picnic tables, with additional requests still coming in.
Poway restaurants interested in borrowing city picnic tables should contact Will Wiley, Assistant Director of Public Works, at (858) 668-4705.