Plans to Reopen Local Low Risk Businesses Could be Announced This Week

According to a city spokesperson, the city could announce plans to reopen some los risk businesses this week.

“I believe the plan is we’ll work in coordination with Long Beach and LA City to announce reopening plans or a new phase of operations by the end of the week,” said Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian.

On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state had moved to Phase 2 which includes reopening some stores, including bookstores, clothing stores, music stores, and toy stores and florists.

Newsom is scheduled to provide guidelines to the opening this week.

The businesses would be limited to curbside service, which means that workers would place purchased items in the trunks of waiting cars.

Most likely customers would not be allowed inside stores.

If the city does stay consistent with the state order, Vroman’s Bookstore would reopen along with clothing stores across the city. Canterbury Records would also reopen.

On Tuesday, calls to Vroman’s were still answered by an online recording announcing the store’s closure due to the Coronavirus.

On Monday, a majority of councilman voiced approval for reopening low risk businesses in an non-agendized discussion after City Manager Steve Mermell asked Council members for direction.

Mayor Terry Tornek told Mermell that he was sure the council would not object as long as state and city health officials were okay with the order.

The move to Stage 2 by Newsom comes as more protests have erupted across the state regarding the month and a half order requiring people to stay home. This past weekend, residents in Orange County protested beach closures.

Locally, the call to open the Rose Bowl loop is beginning to grow. Councilman Steve Madison said on Monday he opposes the continuous closure of the popular exercise area.

“We are entering into the next phase this week,” Newsom said in his daily press briefing Monday. “This is a very positive sign and it’s happened only for one reason: The data says it can happen.”

For the most part orders issued by officials in Pasadena, Long Beach and the city of Los Angeles have mirrored each other.

Under those orders all non-essential businesses are closed and residents are required to stay indoors.

The call to reopen businesses comes as news of bankruptcies begins to surface. J Crew and Gold’s Gym which both have franchises in Pasadena have announced plans to file for bankruptcy this week.

“It’s good to get people back to work with proper social distancing and other pre-cautionary and proactive measures,” Derderian said. “With Mother’s Day this Sunday we’re hoping the timing helps stimulate the local economy, but the health and safety of our community is priority and we can’t emphasize enough how should this phase move forward the risk is still there if health officer recommendations are not followed.”