Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is serving up a new financial aid program for small business owners who aim to participate in the city's permanent Al Fresco dining initiative. The program, initially a pandemic response, has become a staple for eateries capitalizing on LA's sunny disposition. This aid comes in tandem with the application opening for the outdoor dining program and is part of Bass' broader plan to stir economic growth in the restaurant sector.
Speaking to local businesses and media, Mayor Bass emphasized the commitment to keeping neighborhoods bustling. "Today, we are launching a program to help relieve businesses of some of the costs to continue providing al fresco dining. This is part of our ongoing work to support small businesses, create jobs, and add vibrancy to neighborhoods," Mayor Karen Bass said, as reported by mayoral communications. Restaurants believe this move could place Los Angeles on the map as a leading city for outdoor dining experiences.
Christy Vega, owner of Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks, shared her optimism, "Al Fresco Dining is such a huge win for Angelenos. With our weather and beautiful city, we are paving the course to be the number one city for outdoor dining in the nation," she said in a statement obtained by the Mayor's office. This enthusiasm is echoed across the industry with a staggering 97% of surveyed businesses expressing a desire to retain their outdoor dining areas.
In line with the announcements, business owners can access the Al Fresco guide online, spelling out the nitty-gritty from costs to FAQs. Help for the perplexed comes via working the Al Fresco Assistance Helplines, consulting at no charge at one of the city’s ten BusinessSource Centers, or attending webinars that kick off February 7. The program has also considered accessibility, introducing the L.A. Al Fresco Disabled Access Toolkit to ensure equitable enjoyment in public dining spaces.
Chef Theresa Montaño, owner of Otoño restaurant, gave a personal testimonial to the program's value. "Al Fresco has been a lifeline for our restaurant and brought vibrancy back to our streets after Covid... I'm thrilled the program has become permanent," Montaño told mayoral staff. Estimates suggest up to 1,800 small businesses could dip into the Mayor's fee relief offering, with applications for the revocable outdoor dining permit now open.
