Restaurants on Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf open for outdoor dining

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION) Old Fisherman's Wharf said that nearly all of its restaurants are open for outdoor dining.

Monterey Wharf is calling it Al Fresco Restaurant Row of Monterey.

Restaurant owners like Chris Shake, who owns Shake's Old Fisherman's Grotto, says they have received a lot of support from the City of Monterey and alcohol beverage control to continue with business during this pandemic. In return they have been doing everything to retain their employees.

"It is difficult but we are trying to keep all of our employees working, that's our biggest concern right now, to make sure that we're able to keep them going and not have to tell them we have to shut down for three weeks," said Shake.

Still the situation is difficult. In this case, Old Fisherman's Grotto went from gaining momentum in the past five weeks with 31 tables to serving eight tables outdoors.

Restaurants had previously been allowed to reopen for indoor dining in Monterey County, but earlier this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom asked county businesses to scale back due to an increase in cases.

Restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, zoos, museums and cardrooms were asked to close indoor operations, but bars were ordered to close all operations.

Along the wharf there are reminders to social distance and flyers warning people about a mask mandate.