Some Central Coast businesses re-open for weekend
MONTEREY, Calif. (KION) Governor Gavin Newsom gave his recommendations, and Central Coast counties agreed, we are officially in stage two of reopening our economy.
Some lower-risk businesses are opening under strict rules, with many eager customers coming in this weekend. It was not exactly a roaring first weekend under less restrictive stay-at-home orders.
Many retailers were given the green light on Friday, but at the Del Monte Shopping Center in Monterey, most lights remain off and doors closed.
Curb-side pick up is all that is allowed under new rules given by the governor and agreed to by the health officer in Monterey County.
“It is Mother’s Day weekend and I’m treating myself to a car wash!” said Lisa King, a shopper.
King says the trip to El Estero Car Wash was much-needed after weeks without one.
“I’m going crazy, so yes it was nice to get in the car and drive over here and help them out, too,” she said.
El Estero employees say they were checking in with county regularly over the past few weeks and finally were able to reopen on Friday.
“Yesterday was a really great start. You know, it was better than we were expecting," said Stephanie Lopez, the office manager.
In order to keep their workplace "lower-risk" and abide by state rules, they are only doing exterior washes.
“We’re limiting the amount of time that we’re staying in the car, not only for the safety of our customers, but also for our employees,” said Lopez.
But customers say that is enough for them right now.
“I’m just happy that we’re finally in phase two and reopening our state, so our economy can slowly hopefully get back to where it was, or, even a better place,” said Lopez.
Some of the other businesses allowed to re-open throughout Monterey County are clothing stores, bookstores and sporting goods stores, but customers need to place their orders online or by phone, then use curbside pick-up to get their products.
