TUCSON, Ariz. — Outdoor dining has helped Cafe Passe rebound during the pandemic.
Cafe Passe Owner, Jenny Ric said the cafe had to shut down back March.
The cafe applied and received a PPP loan.
Before reopening in June, the restaurant set up its patio to be the area where customers eat.
Ric said that business has improved with the open patio.
"Weather is definitely a big driver for this patio, it's mostly shaded so it's typically lovely out here," Ric said. "But when it's very cold it's going to be cold out here and then in the extreme heat it's going to be hot. But I feel that people have also adapted and have adjusted their expectations and so they're willing to sit outside even if it's not prime weather conditions"
Ric added that while she has had to adapt her business, she is hopeful that customers will feel safe to dine-in on the socially-distanced patio.
