The following is a letter to the editor, published here as opinion. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to [email protected].
Senator Mike McGuire,
Mendocino board of supervisors,
Mendocino historical review board,
And beyond,
I’m writing this letter with two intentions. First, to inform you of the current, distressing state of affairs regarding outdoor dining in the community in which I’ve lived the majority of my life and have run a restaurant for the previous 11 years. In fact on my wall, I display a letter of commendation from our governor, Mike McGuire, because my amazing and heroic staff saved the life of a local child who was run over by a car here in front of my cafe and they lifted the car off of the child) Secondly, to respectfully request your help and attention to what is becoming an increasingly dire situation.
My name is Teddy Winslow, owner and operator of the GoodLife cafe, one of the largest employers in the village of Mendocino, California. Sadly, many restaurants and businesses here didn’t survive the pandemic and have closed. The result has been both a significant loss of employment and a potentially devastating effect on our primary industry here, tourism. Both of these greatly impact our local economy.
Myself, along with other local restaurants including The Mendocino Cafe, Cafe Beaujolais, Trillium Cafe, and Pattersons Pub, have narrowly escaped the same fate. This has been in large part due to the PPP funding that was provided to ensure our ability to survive. A portion of those monies were invested in our outdoor dining infrastructure. The result has been that we were able to continue to accommodate both our local and visiting guests and provide a space in which people have felt safe and have been able to carry on with some semblance of normalcy during these uncertain times.
Another significant impact of the outdoor dining spaces has been the ability to continue to provide, and actually increase, employment opportunities. In essence, the outdoor dining area has served to keep money flowing into our local economy, maintain employment rates, and consequently provide income for the over 30 local families my business supports, not to mention those of the other restaurants that have done the same.
Needless to say, it’s been a challenging time for all of us. As business owners supporting our own families, including many of us managing online learning at home with our children, we were also mandated to make many alterations to our businesses requiring a significant investment of our time, energy, and money. While the cost of all of the supplies required to run our businesses dramatically increased, it was also necessary to increase wages to accommodate the needs of our staff and remain a viable option for their employment. All the while, as the stay-at-home order was lifted and fewer people felt safe with air travel, we experienced an influx of visitors to our area.
While we’ve been grateful for the opportunity to manage the effects of the pandemic on our businesses, the reality is that it’s been a very real struggle to keep our doors open. Sadly, without the handful of surviving restaurants, Mendocino will simply become another chapter in history. What was once a thriving tourist destination and beautiful community will become a distant memory.
In an effort to support one another, I and other restaurant owners took on the challenge and became creative by employing the services of a local wedding tent rental business that had unfortunately closed its doors due to the pandemic. We had the owner/operator of this company professionally install beautiful, aesthetically pleasing while unobtrusive tents in order to accommodate the requirements of outdoor dining. The impact on, and feedback from, our community and visitors was instantaneous. Not only did the tents create outdoor spaces in which to safely dine, but they also accommodated more guests and therefore more employment.
This brings me to the distressing focus of this letter. There are a very few folks who reside in this village who have expressed their disdain for our tents, causing the building and planning department and the mendocino historical review board to start to target our outdoor dining tents. Our local planning department is now being compelled to enforce their shockingly unreasonable request — to remove all of the outdoor dining tents from the village of Mendocino because a few people don’t like how they look.
This will have a significant impact on several crucial aspects of our businesses, which I will outline shortly. My initial response to this very distressing news was to hear from those who support us and who will be greatly affected by this decision – our customers, both local and visiting. Of the nearly 500 comment cards that were submitted, the overwhelming response was that:
People feel safer having an option to dine outside, for a variety of reasons and not all of them directly related to COVID. For example, those who are immune-compromised and people battling cancer; elderly patrons who will only go out to eat if they can do so outside in a safe, covered setting; individuals with service animals that cannot remain in hot cars; sensory-sensitive individuals who find indoor dining stressful and agitating; families with small children who find it easier and safer to dine outside; people who are sun-sensitive and worry about exposure and skin cancer; and individuals with hearing loss who have a hard time navigating the noise of indoor dining.
Not one single person had a complaint about the tents or their appearance but rather several offered comments about them adding to the aesthetic of the village. In fact I’m a recent poll on social media on a county page, the poll to keep or eliminate tents was exceptionally powerful with 97% voting to keep the tents.
Several individuals commented that they specifically travel here because of the outdoor seating options for dining and would actually be deterred were they not available.
And lastly, many are concerned that COVID is not over but rather is mutating. They are not ready or willing to expose themselves to confined spaces for dining.
The purpose behind the direction to remove the tents is seemingly not clear to anyone. It appears to many that those who are dictating these orders are not reliant on local economy, and therefore don’t understand and won’t experience the devastating impact this would have. What is the socioeconomic issue requiring the dismantling of the tents? How can this possibly benefit our small, local economy and population? The answer to those questions is not clear to any of us. In fact, our county is suffering a great deal financially and is in desperate need of the tax revenue that these tents have significantly contributed to.
In truth, tents have been a part of our community since the 1800s, as evidenced by our local Kelly House Museum. An argument for mere aesthetics simply does not hold water when the larger, profoundly damaging impact is considered.
The essential, bottom line is that:
Being forced to remove the tents will result in a loss of local and tourist revenue. Our coastal environment is cold and rainy for several months of the year, while hot and sunny at other times. Removing the ability for diners to enjoy their meals outdoors means the loss of significant income to local businesses and thus their likely closure.
The removal of the tents will also result in a loss of employment for many, many families. Our local workers desperately need the opportunity to work, and their children need not only schools to attend but food on their tables.
Not only will local restaurants be impacted by this decision, the entire local economy will as well as tourists will not be as compelled to visit this area without this option for safe dining.
As business owners who are highly invested in our local community and feed not only our own but many local families, we’re imploring you to help us stop this irrational order. In my own business, I support our local teachers and schools, emergency and first responders, fire evacuees, and nearly every local nonprofit organization with donations and discounts. And, I know that my fellow local restaurant owners do the same.
We have done our best to carry on in these challenging times, including complying with what’s been asked of us. And now, we can’t help but feel that we’re not only being penalized for the time, money, and energy we’ve invested to comply and support our community but we’re quite possibly being driven into extinction.
There are so many layers of complexity and potential devastation with this nonsensical mandate. It appears that we are not being acknowledged or heard as those who care about and support our community, and we are asking for your help and attention to this very distressing matter.
Thank you, so very much, for your time and consideration in reading this letter. We’re holding out hope and faith that you will be able to look into and have an impact on the local planning department and the Mendocino Historical Review Board’s (who’s members do not represent the desire of the local majority at all, proven by the hundreds of locals and visitors comments regarding the outdoor dining in Mendocino) ability to do this to our community.
What we are asking for is simple, our local district supervisor, Ted Williams is planning to ask the other board of supervisors to approve a one year moratorium on the removal of our tents and a loosening of the extremely strict regulations that exist here regarding tents in the village. We’ve tried to get permits for our tents and are being told they will not be allowed because there are so many hoops we have to jump through here, it’s virtually impossible. They want engineering plans and building permits for tents that have been professionally erected and have been in use now since 2020 when COVID started.
They are safe, and sound, and necessary. Please help us keep them until we know what we’re allowed to replace them with which will be able to protect folks in summer as well as winter. We all know umbrellas won’t really do it. Please help us continue to support our county by supporting us.
Sincerely,
Teddy Winslow
GoodLife Cafe and Bakery
I support this business owner’s request. I enjoy outside eating and know many people who feel safer eating outdoors than in. Let’s not regulate these folks out of business.
I agree with this letter, and a.ways choose the outdoor dining options at Good Life Cafe, Patterson’s, Mendocino Cafe, Little River Inn, and other restaurants with tents. I would hate to see them be forced to remove the outdoor seating.
The local establishments that were able to stay open through the pandemic by providing safe outdoor eating spaces helped the center of this community hold during a time when it was in peril of falling apart. COVID’s next variant, BA.2.86, is here. There is no vaccine available here yet for this variant, it’s surging, and winter is coming. The investments represented by these tents are considerable – let’s not assume our valued local establishments could afford, or would be inclined to, invest in the resiliency of our community this way a second time. They’re tired and some are just hanging on as it is. Please don’t let the vanity of a few force such a foolish decision in the name of aesthetics at the expense of public commerce and public safety. One day the tents will come down. This is not the time.
Please, please let them stay up. Many of us elder locals could never dine out again, if they were taken down. No, Covid is not over, especially for older people and immune compromised.
They’re not defacing–they make the town look festive, like the music festival tent. And they look really good when you consider that they’re providing a great service not only to business but to citizens, who are clearly in favor of keeping them. I mean, where does the Historical Board get off, imposing its will on an entire community? it’s not like we’re asking for a high rise on the headlands.
Great points! Your voice won’t be heard here by the ones that matter but if you Please write to:
Mhrb:
[email protected]
Board of supervisors:
[email protected]
Julia krog, head of Planning :
[email protected]
Thank you !
Yes! A beautifully written and rational case has been made here. We visit your area once a month and eating outside is one of our top priorities. The different restaurants have done an amazing job of converting outside spaces into lovely dining rooms. Support these innovative and brilliant efforts to meet the challenges of the times. Kudos to ALL of these wonderful businesses.
i’m not coming to visit Mendocino to spend my money unless they have safe spaces for us to visit and eat. Healthy alive people and steady income for folx over aesthetics! Why do ‘Karens’ always have so much power?
I absolutely agree. Keep the tents.
I completely agree with the business owner! We were just in Mendocino last week for our 5th wedding anniversary and stayed at the Seagull Inn. We dined at Patterson Pub several times and the Mendocino Cafe. In both restaurants we sat outside underneath the large, spacious and open air tents. They provide an inviting atmosphere as well as protection from bees or bugs sensing food. Both restaurants were full indoors and it was very accommodating to be seated as we were hungry! Though it was chilly at night the tents provided a canapy of a warmer dining experience.
The owner of the seagull is on the mendocino historical review board. Hopefully you’ll let him know how much you enjoyed the tents. He is one of the people who seem opposed to them for some silly reason. Also, please send a letter to the board of supes in mendocino and let them know how you feel.
Outdoor eating is the way to go, I always eat outside, fresh air is better than not. It would be a mistake to take down a very functional and useful part of an otherwise stunning town. I garuantee you these aren’t people who live here year round, or have ever worked in the service industry.
I absolutely agree that the tents must be allowed up for diners! When I come to Mendocino for the day, I have been grateful to be able to dine safely and comfortably outdoors under the tents. Please do not allow our local businesses and customers to suffer under unreasonable requirements!
Please attend the board of supervisors meeting in mendocino on September 12, 9am at saint anthonys church to let your voices be heard. While all of these amazing comments are wonderful, the people who need to hear this aren’t on this thread and need to be made aware of how many people support the outdoor dining. Please write in, call in, attend the meeting on the 12th.
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
I fully support the use of tents in Mendocino Village. The California Building Code has provisions in section 108 and in Appendix Chapter 31 for permitting temporary membrane structures (tents). The building official can allow the use of temporary structures for up to 180 days, and grant extensions. The Tempoary Building Permit process is routinely used at sports venues, fairs, carnivals, etc. The tent fabric covering must approved as being ignition resistant by the State Fire Marshal.
As a retired building official, I recommend that the following items should be considered when approving the use of tents for commercial purposes:
Will the tent location block or impede existing emergency exits and passageways serving the existing building?
Is the tent accessible to persons with disabilities (ADA)?
Any electrical or mechanical (heating, fans, etc.) installations must be code compliant.
Emergency exit passageways from within the tent must remain open and unobstructed.
Will the additional occupant load (number of folks using the tent) require an increase in the size of existing restrooms?
Sincerely,
Scott Ward
Keep the existing tents! Having recently survived Covid, I wouldn’t even dream of drinking/eating out anywhere but in a well-ventilated outdoor space. Much gratitude & credit to our local workforce whose sacrifices sustained us before vaccines were available. We owe them. I have no objection to the esthetics. History evolves as it is recorded. Pix of the tents will become an iconic reminder of this particular slice of Mendo Town’s history.
Restaurant owners found a creative way to keep serving the local and tourist community. They spent a lot of money, time and trouble to do so. And now a very few entitled members of our community want them to tear it all down, again at their expense. Truly, no good deed goes unpunished.
I support this restaurant owner’s request to retain the tents on their premises. As a concerned member of the community, I believe it is necessary to strike a balance between regulatory compliance and accommodating the desires of the local community, especially when it involves simple and harmless matters.
Firstly, I want to highlight the overwhelming support from the community in favor of the restaurant tents. These structures have become an advantageous accessory for the town that enables folks with compromised health and pet owners an ability to dine out in a social environment that also expands restaurants business, especially in adverse weather.Not only does this vantage attract locals and visitors alike, it promotes mental health with it’s versatility and inviting atmosphere for those often confined to their homes during flu season. They are a draw. Removing them would not only undermine the ambiance and appeal of the area but also adversely impact the business’s viability.
Furthermore, it is essential to consider the economic implications of the decision. The restaurant industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, and the pandemic has further exacerbated their struggles. Local businesses like the restaurant in question have been working tirelessly to adapt to these unprecedented circumstances. By allowing them to continue operating with the tents, we are not only supporting their survival but also safeguarding local jobs and contributing to the overall economic growth of our community.
While I understand the need for some regulatory oversight to maintain order and safety, it is equally important to avoid unnecessary overreach in matters that pose no harm or risk. The restaurant owner has demonstrated a commitment to compliance by adhering to health and safety regulations and ensuring the tents meet all necessary standards. Moreover, they have fostered a strong relationship with the community, actively engaging with residents and addressing any concerns promptly.
In conclusion, I urge you to consider the sentiments of the community and support the restaurant owner and our local citizens requests to retain the tents. By doing so, we can maintain the unique advantage these tents afford, bolster local businesses, and demonstrate a commitment to fostering a thriving and inclusive community.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I truly hope that the Board of Supervisors and Historical review board will carefully consider the interests of the community and make a decision that reflects the desires of the people it serves.
the tents are beautiful and aesthetic and provide a safe and fun place to dine. removing them would be a huge mistake for all the reasons pointed out by others.
As an olderish person with a slight lung condition living up in Eureka, we’ve chosen to not travel or frequent restaurants or similar gatherings of large numbers of people for over three years, COVID risk being the reason. Just a couple days ago, I was exploring online some possible options for a long overdue visit back to Mendocino, and seeing here that there actually are outdoor dining options is a big plus favoring the small risk of a trip. COVID IS still lurking, in its several variations, and the wonderful food options having always been part of the draw to Mendocino, it encourages me, as a tourist, to feel that an added measure of safety is still being considered worthwhile – it goes into my plus column on whether to come back to Mendocino or not. As everyone knows, those tourist dollars coming to the area, Eureka included, put food on everyone’s table and pay everyone’s bills – business owners and employees alike. These are strange times in many ways, and we must be willing to adapt to survive. I haven’t seen these tents, but I can guarantee they won’t diminish my opinion of the beautiful town and citizens of Mendocino in any way. Just a few words on the soapbox from an “outsider” who loves your town and area, one who brings money to spend with you, and who appreciates any added level of avoidance of that nasty virus that has changed all our lives and isn’t done with us just yet.
Coronavirus rates are going up and masking mandates returning to many offices and schools—it’s simply perverse to deprive us of outside dining areas.
Well written Teddy Winslow!! This is a very fair and well supported letter expressing the need to keep the tents up and available. In addition to all the points provided by Teddy, I personally agree with and really love outdoor covered seating when offered since indoor seating is often too loud to enjoy conversation along with your meal. I truly hope the Board hears and honors the pleas to keep the tents up.
I agree with the comments of others. The tents should stay!
I love the tents and would not eat in a restaurant without outdoor seating.Please keep them.
I totally agree with this letter and other supporters!