Tina Marie's Cafe in Downtown Bakersfield first to receive outdoor expansion permit

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — In May the Bakersfield City Council started allowing local businesses to apply for a special event permit to help businesses reopen and accommodate the social distancing guidelines.

Now, the first Downtown restaurant has been approved for that permit.

Tina Marie's Cafe on the corner of Chester Avenue and 20th Street has been approved and now has outside dining and seating to help with space issues.

The permit allows restaurants and other businesses to close off streets, sidewalks and parking lots to set up seating and vending areas. Officials are requiring businesses to apply because only certain streets are eligible for closure and only up to half of a parking lot may be closed off.

According to city officials, it's a case by case situation with each business.