PG restaurant struggles amid parklet program

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (KION) - Many businesses have moved outdoors in order to stay open and serve customers. Some restaurants in Pacific Grove have been allowed to use the parking areas in front of their businesses as parklets to serve more customers.

However, for Petra Restaurant in Pacific Grove, the new parklet program offered by the city wasn't a viable option for them because of their location.

"We declined, and the reason we declined in our case here, the street narrows, the speed limit also gets faster and it was dangerous, so we didn't want to do it in our case," says Samer Nimri with Petra Restaurant.

"We didn't have room, we were only able to put up a couple tables outside in the front by the door," says Nimri.

Other restaurants -- have their parklet areas packed full of people. But, being one of the few restaurants on lighthouse avenue without parklet dining, revenue for Petra is trickling in.

"It's affected our business, we're down at least 50%," says Nimri.

"Y'know, I haven't eaten out too much, mostly just ordering out and eating at home." says Petra customer Adam Kohli.

Pacific Grove resident Adam Kohli says he's been been social distancing but also supporting local businesses.

"You see everyone walking through without masks and with masks and it's kind of clustering up," Kohli says.

But, his take-out order today is what's helping Petra Restaurant stay afloat.

"We're surviving through to-go orders, our loyal customers who call in to-go orders," says Nimri

Workers at Petra Restaurants tell me they're optimistic about opening completely over the next few months. But, until then they are relying heavily on takeout orders.