The City of Norfolk is helping local restaurants to continue serving customers outside amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The “Open Norfolk” initiative helps restaurant owners obtain permits for outdoor seating and has also used funding from Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES Act, to purchase patio lighting – and now, electric heaters.
On Wednesday afternoon, restaurant owners who previously applied for assistance stopped by in the rain to pick up the heaters. Some restaurants were able to get several, all at no charge.
“It really helped us out because these were expenses that we didn’t have to worry about right now,” explained Nicole Jackson from Blended Kitchen Bar and Grill.