Northbrook Restaurants, Bars Make Final Reopening Preparations

NORTHBROOK, IL — While it's essential that Illinois restaurants and bars with outdoor seating follow strict guidelines set forth by Gov. J.B. Pritzker if they reopen Friday, Tensley Garris, president of the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce, is also expecting customers to do their part in being safe and responsible. The state is set to officially enter Phase 3 of Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan.

"At every step, the owners I’ve talked to are keeping the safety of customers and employees top-of-mind," Garris said. "It’s been great to see Village leadership step up to support local business through proactive policies like the new small business grant program."

According to a survey conducted by Patch, residents are anxious about returning to dining establishments (by a 66-34 percent margin). In addition, 56 percent of respondents believe these establishments are unsafe, while only 23 percent plan to dine out this weekend.

"As we move into June, there is a sense of cautious optimism in the air," Garris said. "Many of our member businesses have been busy over the last two weeks preparing to reopen after a long shutdown, or to expand the ways they serve customers."

Garris told Patch that the list of restaurants and bars opening Friday and in the following days was still being formulated.

"Restaurants are scrambling to see what they can do, including some that have previously not had an outdoor space," Garris said. "The Village of Northbrook is working with all that are interested and trying to be very flexible. The outdoor dining option puts us closer to a sense of community and is a small step towards economic recovery."

— From the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity