Miranda Fisher, Town Clerk, Nederland. If you walk around Nederland, you will see that food establishments are starting to come back to life. Although the dining experience may not be the way it used to be, food establishments in Nederland are making the most of the amended Safer at Home guidelines that allow them to open for modified indoor and outdoor services. 

On May 27, 2020, under the amended Executive Order D 2020 044 Safer at Home, food establishments were permitted to open as long as they could adhere to the following: 

Indoor dining limited to 50% of the occupancy code limit or 50 people, whichever is less.

Tables positioned six feet apart. 

Groups limited to no more than eight people. 

All employees wearing face coverings. 

Deep cleaning and disinfecting surfaces between each table turnover.

Providing maximum ventilation was also a requirement and while many food establishments in Nederland have outdoor seating spaces, the Town wanted to support these businesses by working with them to extend their business footprint in order to accommodate for additional outdoor dining spaces. 

On May 21, 2020, Mayor Larsen issued an emergency declaration delegating authority to Town Staff to approve applications for temporary expansion of patios and modification of premises. The Board of Trustees ratified the declaration on June 2, 2020, delegating authority to Miranda Fisher, Deputy Town Administrator/Town Clerk to approve temporary modifications of liquor licensed premises, grant temporary use permits, and grant temporary license agreements.

As of June 5, 2020, the following businesses have been given authority by the Town to expand their premise: 

Busey Brews has been authorized to provide outdoor dining on the lower lot behind their building, in addition to their indoor space and front and back patio.

Ned’s has been authorized to provide outdoor dining using the parking spaces located next to their business, in addition to their indoor space and deck. 

New Moon has been authorized to provide outdoor dining in the Town’s right of way, using three parking spaces in front of Town Hall, in addition to the seating on their patio. 

Tres Gringos has been authorized to provide outdoor dining using the parking spaces located in front of their business.

Backcountry Pizza, Blue Owl, Crosscut Pizzeria, Deli at 8236, The Mine Shaft, Salto Coffee Works, The Train Cars and Ubon Thai, are all open as well and while they have not applied and/or been approved to expand their service area yet, all these food establishments currently have outdoor seating spaces for their customers.   

Kathmandu reopened Tuesday, June 9, 2020 and is operating temporarily out of 95 East First Street, while their building undergoes construction. 

Breweries are also permitted to be open at this time, however they must operate more like restaurants and provide food from a licensed retail food establishment. 

Very Nice Brewing Company has been authorized to provide outdoor dining using the parking spaces located in front of their business in addition to their indoor seating area and has teamed up with Busey Brews to provide food to their customers. 

Knotted Root is in the process of applying for an expansion onto their outdoor patio. 

Covered Wagon remains closed at this time, but is seeking to open very soon.

The Town of Nederland is looking forward to continuing to support these food establishments as they navigate the changing orders and hope that you will visit one of these businesses for dine-in or take out services very soon. 

For the most up-to-date information on food establishments in the peak to peak region, please visit www.themtnear.com and click on https://themtnear.com/2020/05/taste-of-the-peaks-restaurants/

(Originally published in the June 11, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)