Concord business group taking pulse for closing streets for outdoor dining in Todos Santos

Dining under the stars is gaining steam in communities around the Bay Area, and now the Todos Santos Business Association (TSBA) is surveying its membership to gauge support for pursuing street closures around Todos Santos Plaza.

With indoor dining banned due to the pandemic, some Concord restaurant owners have already expanded their reach to the sidewalks and even stepped off the curb to place tables and chairs in parking spots.

According to Mayor Tim McGallian, this has all come with the city’s blessing. He explained that since June the city has been trying to streamline the permitting process, which can start with a phone call.

“It takes a couple of pieces paper and a drawing,” McGallian said of the simple procedure for establishments thinking of outdoor dining options. If there were a groundswell of support for full or partial street closures, he said the city would certainly be open to it. But so far, city officials have not heard much from proprietors seeking such action to accommodate more outdoor dining.

Vanessa Wolf, a representative for the TSBA, said businesses are weighing the costs involved with this kind of expansion. It could include building a platform for tables and chairs and buying outdoor heaters.

She noted that if street closures occur, it will have to take place soon – because the available months for outside dining are waning.

Responses from TSBA members have trickled in, and she is expecting to know soon whether there is enough support to pursue the street closure idea with city officials. She expressed confidence that financial resources can be found to help support restaurants wishing to do this.

“Where there is a will, there is a way,” Wolf said.