Restaurants in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ will temporarily be allowed to act as pop-up grocery stores, selling packaged food, fresh produce, paper goods and cleaning supplies, after a pair of announcements this week from Gov. Doug Ducey and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mayor Regina Romero.
The move was made to help local restaurants across the state offset losses as a result of the closure of dining areas as a result of the spread of COVID-19, according to Ducey, who issued a proclamation Tuesday.
The order, which is in effect until further notice and will be revised or renewed every two weeks, allows restaurants to resell items they bought wholesale to the general public without having to comply with normal labeling requirements.
It does not permit a restaurant that does not hold a current license from the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Department of Liquor Licensing and Control to sell alcoholic beverages.
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“Even with dine-in and carry-out options still available to patrons, many ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ restaurants are struggling due to COVID-19,†Ducey said in a prepared statement Tuesday. “Today’s executive order provides flexibility for restaurant owners to safely sell prepared and bulk foods or supplies they have on hand and can’t use right now. We are proud to support ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ restaurants with this reform.â€
The practice of restaurants converting to pop-up grocery stores has been prevalent in a number of other cities, including Los Angeles. There, the county health department shut down the operations of some for operating outside the scope of their permits.
On Wednesday, Romero allowed restaurants to adhere to Ducey’s changes without having to update their certificates of occupancy or businesses licenses. Businesses are required to collect sales tax on the packaged foods, which have to be labeled in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidance.
“Our restaurant community is at the heart of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s cultural, social and economic fabric,†Romero said in a prepared statement. “I encourage all ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ans to continue rallying around our restaurants by ordering takeout, purchasing gift cards, and now, by visiting them for their grocery needs.â€
Several ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ restaurants had already converted to makeshift markets, including Hotel Congress, Ghini’s French Caffe, Dante’s Fire, and LemonShark Poke, selling everything from toilet paper to flour and eggs to home meal kits.
Romero noted that the local moves were made in consultation with the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ City of Gastronomy’s Board of Directors.
“As a chef and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ City of Gastronomy Board President, I appreciate and support this change in public policy,†said Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails chef/owner Janos Wilder in a prepared statement. “It will promote public safety and allow our restaurants to be another needed resource during these trying times.â€
The moves were otherwise applauded by James McLaughlin, head of the local food workers union, which represents 24,000 employees across the state, who said he supports the politicians’ “sense of entrepreneurial acumen.â€
“For a small business, it makes sense to sell inventory and generate revenue for the business,†he said. “Nobody views these restaurants as real grocery stores but, under the circumstances, they fill a need to assist in the neighborhoods they serve. …
“When the current crisis is behind us, these temporary set-ups will go back to operating as restaurants using the inventory to prepare food and probably won’t be selling products as groceries,†he said.
Photos for April 1: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ gets by during Coronavirus Pandemic
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

A dinosaur statue over the doors of MATS Dojo at 5929 E. 22nd St., sports an athletic cup for a face mask in the second week of COVID-19 restrictions, March 31, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

A pair of protestors use their car to block west bound traffic on Silverlake to let other protestors make the left turn in into the Pima County Adult Detention Complex during a vehicle based demonstration by #FreeThemAll for the release of prisoners in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, March 31, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Raj Paudel hands a bag of food to a customer at Govinda's to-go-tent located at 711 E. Blacklidge Drive, on April 1, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

The biggest hit to employment in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ came in the leisure and hospitality industry — hotels, bars, restaurants and places of amusement — which alone shed 5,200 jobs.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

John Aldecoa tapes up a banner outside his restaurant, Brother John's, as he and his staff get ready to serve again after being closed since the COVID-19 restrictions were put in place two weeks ago, April 1, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Michael Olivas, right, helps Arnold Vizcaino, City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Parks and Recreation employees, lock up swings at Gene C. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. The City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Parks and Recreation employees are going around to all ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ parks to close all ramadas, gazebos, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, all sports courts and fields, horseshoe pits and splash pads due Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Caution tape across an entrance on a playground at Gene C. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Parks and Recreation employees are closing all ramadas, gazebos, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, sports courts and more due to the coronavirus outbreak.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

A "CLOSED' sign and caution tape is placed around a ramada at Gene C. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. The City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Parks and Recreation employees are going around to all ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ parks to close all ramadas, gazebos, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, all sports courts and fields, horseshoe pits and splash pads due Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Vanessa Richards, 18, left, and Ella Dotson, 17, adjust their mortar boards and hair in the window of a building along Scott Ave. in downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on March 31, 2020. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic the rest of the school year has been canceled. Richards and Dotson are seniors at Marana High School and will not have a formal graduation ceremony. The pair came to downtown to get photos of themselves in their caps and gowns.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Vanessa Richards, 18, left, and Ella Dotson, 17, take a selfie as their friend, Camilla Hamilton, 17, gets her photo taken by Vanessa’s mother, Chrissi, along Scott Ave. in downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on March 31, 2020. Due to the coronavirus, the rest of the school year has been canceled. The Marana High School seniors went downtown to get photos of themselves in their caps and gowns.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Georgia Goodwin, volunteer, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Along with other volunteers and employees, Paula Sanford, center, volunteer, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Andy Cathey, Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum employee, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Andy Cathey, Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum employee, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Rudy Arriaga, far left, and his mother, Dale, chat with Damian Velez, far right, general manager and Joseph Ashbacher before leaving with their takeout order at Bianchi's Italian Restaurant, 3640 W. Tangerine Road, in Marana, Ariz. on March 30, 2020. The Marana location will closed due to a drop in business.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

A man wearing personal protective equipment works out at FitCore at Morris K Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 29, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Ruby Boulet-Stephenson waters the family's new backyard garden, on March 27, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Roccos Little Chicago Pizzeria sports the phrase "Eat the Rich" on its marquee, on March 31, 2020. The local pizza spot is currently closed due to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19.)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

A pedestrian crosses Church Avenue near the Historic Pima County Courthouse in a nearly-empty downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ during the coronavirus pandemic in spring 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

A bank customer wears gloves while at a drive up ATM at Chase Bank, 8701 E. Broadway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 29, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

While traveling through ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Canadians Lauri Buchanan and her husband Brian Buchanan, left, eat lunch with their friends Rhonda McDonald and her husband Pat McDonald, right, from Wyoming, outside of Whataburger, 6504 E. 22nd St., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan and Mr. and Mrs. McDonald were eating outside due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

David Cardinal, a sales associate at The Hub, works with a customer at the gun store located at 1400 S Alvernon Way, on March 28, 2020. The store saw an increase in customers during the last few weeks.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

An employee at The Hub, a gun store located at 1400 S Alvernon Way, works with a customer on March 28, 2020. The store saw an increase in customers during the last few weeks.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Cassie Phelps, food service employee for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Unified School District, hands two students lunches and breakfast at Harold Steel Elementary School, 700 S. Sarnoff Dr., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 31, 2020. TUSD is offering lunches and breakfast for students due to schools being canceled because of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Jolene Luquin, teaching assistant for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Unified School District, organizes educational packets for a parent at Harold Steel Elementary School, 700 S. Sarnoff Dr., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 31, 2020. The educational packets, for grades K-12, include the curriculum for all classes from science to math to history and others. It allows the students, parents and teachers to keep learning despite not being in the classroom, according to Karla Escamilla, TUSD public information officer. TUSD plans to have most of the paperwork online in the next couple of weeks, said Escamilla, as well as issue laptops to students who don't have access to a computer. TUSD is issuing these packets and online school due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

After more than a week in isolation, Tami and Tedd Handy get the chance to dance as Mama Coal, Carra Stasney and Tim O'Connor give a street concert on Placita de Zacatal in the Casas Adobes neighborhood, Saturday, March 28, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus

Mama Coal, Carra Stasney and Tim O'Connor take to the great outdoors along Moonshroud Dr., in Catalina Shadows, Saturday, March 28, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Contact reporter Justin Sayers at jsayers1@tucson.com or 573-4192. Twitter: @_JustinSayers. Facebook: JustinSSayers.