Lucky Baldwin’s Pub and Other Pasadena Restaurants Confused by City’s Emergency Mandate

By Terry Miller

While Governor Newsom’s press conference Sunday put some panic in local restaurants and pubs in the San Gabriel Valley, it seems that there was/is no official mandate to close, at least until noon today, when Pasadena city told restaurants they have to follow New York’s lead and do take out only and close all bars. It is stunning and causing emergency meetings of restaurant owners to figure out how they can survive such mandates.

Council will hold a special meeting at 11:30 Tuesday at cityhall, where presumably the Mayor Terry Tornek will be after his trip to Africa.

 British Pub LuckyBaldwin’s owner, Peggy Simonian remains cautiously optimistic about the futureduring this outbreak but obviously upset about the misinformation and theemergency directive from the city manager, Steve Mermell. We spoke to SimonianMonday afternoon:

“It has been chaotic and super stressful.  Everyone hasmany questions and I simply do not have answers, as this is changing every day,every hour.  It is very difficult to even plan what to do when authoritiessend out public messages to close restaurants and bars. …but still supportlocal businesses by ordering take out?  Isn’t this a mixed message ofsorts?  Still bring in staff, and have everything available to go – andsit and wait for orders – that is not my business model.  The restaurantbusiness is the hardest hit in this situation, and especially when it employeesso many people in this industry. 

Employees are panicking because of their loss in earnings, butthey all very understanding of the situation. A lot of them live hand to mouthand don’t have savings they can rely on.  I am in a very difficultposition – we are trying to be responsible and are offering food to go.  Iam also offering our own delivery service.    So ordering to gowill definitely help us in keeping our doors open and provide work foremployees.  This past weekend customers were still actively visitingall locations, and were honoring social distancing. 

We are social creatures and honestly I am not sure how longeveryone is going to be willing to stay home before going completely mad!

{We’re}Just taking this one day at a time and being preparedto think on the fly and make necessary adjustments.  With the city’sdeclaration for take-out service only…  Seriously it’s putting us all in afrenzy.  With St Patrick’s tomorrow its really affected ourbusiness.  We will be offering Corned Beef and Cabbage and Irish Stew andhave prepared for this day.  Ask me on Wednesday how it’s going……….urgh!”

Peggy Simonian: Lucky Baldwin’s Pubs

 This is a rapidly developing story and thereare several meetings taking place today and tomorrow with restaurant owners. Wewill update this story when we have more information to share with our readers.

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