Westmont, Illinois
Date Issued: May 29, 2020
“I want to thank all of our businesses and staff who have been working together to get ready for the beginning of the Restore Illinois, Phase 3 Plan,” said Mayor Ron Gunter. “Ever since the beginning of the shutdown, our businesses and the public have longed for the opportunity to return to some sense of normalcy. This is the first step.”
CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM
“We cannot stress enough the importance of businesses and the public to follow the Phase III social distancing guidelines,” added Mayor Gunter. “We are able to enter Phase III because our region has met the minimum criteria established by the State and Federal guidelines that help ensure that our hospitals are not overwhelmed by an influx of new cases and illnesses. This is the new norm for the time being. To continue on a positive path, everyone has to do their part.”
RESTAURANTS ARE GETTING READY
“We have done our best to assist our businesses in the effort to create outdoor seating spaces, which is allowed by the State guidelines,” said Bruce Sylvester, Westmont Community Development Director. “We have waived fees for temporary outdoor seating permits, tent permits, and inspections, while at the same time streamlined the approval process to facilitate these new temporary parameters.”
During Phase III, restaurants must adhere to specific health and safety guidelines to protect their patrons and staff from the spread of COVID-19. To take advantage of restaurant outdoor seating, staff and patrons are expected to be healthy and not showing COVID-19-related symptoms, wash hands frequently and thoroughly, maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet, and wear a mask while on restaurant premises except when eating. Up to six people in one group can be seated at a table, and there must be a minimum distance of six feet between each group/table. Restaurants with open overhead garage-style doors can have indoor patrons up to 8 feet from the opening.
Due to limited seating capacity, patrons are encouraged to call and make reservations in advance, if possible. Curbside service and delivery options are still available. A listing of restaurants planning to provide outdoor seating will be maintained on the Westmont Chamber of Commerce website at www.westmontchamber.com.
WESTMONT RESTAURANT OUTDOOR SEATING GRANT PROGRAM
The Westmont Restaurant Outdoor Seating Grant Program application is expected to launch on Tuesday, June 2 at 9 a.m. The Village Board approved a total of $76,000 to be earmarked for Westmont restaurants that have less than $1.5 million in annual sales, or are located in the B-1 downtown central business district. The grant will reimburse up to 75% of the costs associated with the purchase or rental of materials required to establish outdoor seating, with a maximum payment of $2,000 per restaurant. Additional local business stimulus grant opportunities are being considered and will be publicized once they are confirmed.
Details for the Westmont Restaurant Outdoor Seating Grant Program and the application will be posted on the Westmont Economic Development Partnership website at choosewestmont.com. For additional information, contact Larry Forssberg at lforssberg@westmont.il.gov or 630-824-9337.
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