City’s Economic Development Team Launches Grant Program for Restaurateurs Who Want Outdoor Dining Areas

Pasadena’s Economic Development team recently launched Dine Out Pasadena, a pilot program offering eligible restaurants the opportunity to apply for up to $45,000 in grant funds that could be used to create on-street dining areas.

At the Economic Development and Technology Committee meeting held last June 18, Economic Development Director David Klug reported that the Economic Development staff kicked off the Dine Out Pasadena, a program that aims to boost Pasadena’s dining scene by creating on-street dining spaces, last May 21.

A total of 17 eligible businesses attended the kick-off meeting where staff discussed information about the program and how to apply for the grant funding, which could be used to create new on-site dining areas or upgrade existing ones.

At the meeting, the staff also presented to the attendees the Dine Out Pasadena landing page which includes an application portal and information on permits, designs and eligibility, among other things.

On June 5, the Economic Development Department staff also hosted a webinar to all businesses to share the information presented at the kick off meeting. A second webinar is scheduled for June 18.

According to Klug, application for the grant funds will close on July 1.

Eligible applicants include restaurants that have an active Pasadena license and are located within Pasadena as well as restaurants that operate in a location approved for on-street dining.

Currently, restaurants with parking lots or private property dining are not eligible for funding in the pilot round but will be considered in the future rounds of the program.

“This will be phase one in the program,” said Klug. “And I think the Council will also be seeing some code amendments to allow for dining and private parking lots. So those restaurants that now have outdoor dining will be eligible once the code amendments are brought forth and considered by the City Council for approval. So that’ll be the second phase.”

For more information about Dine Out Pasadena, visit: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/economicdevelopment/dine-out-pasadena/

Meanwhile, in the same meeting, Klug also reported that five establishments have opened in Pasadena recently.

They are Lucid Motors, located 30 W. Colorado Blvd.; Topdrawer, located at 17 N. Fair Oaks Ave.; Tomikawa Japanese Restaurant, located at 3539 E. Foothill Blvd.; Criterion Coffee located at 39 N. Arroyo Pkwy and PlayLab Beauty, located at 25 N. Fair Oaks Ave.