Covid-19 restrictions are definitely lessening as we move towards a more "normal" situation in California. Unfortunately, we don't feel confident bringing 20,000 people together quite yet. Consequently, we will not be hosting a Fourth of July Parade in 2021.

With that said, the Old Monterey Business Association is already looking forward to next year with marching bands, floats, and the whole array of community groups and supporters coming together for Independence Day 2022! We wish everyone a safe, sane, and healthy 4th of July.

Beginning June 15, Britannia Arms of Monterey will be showing all the 12pm (local time) matches of the 2021 European Championship on our big screens. The Britannia Arms, located at 444 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey, is the headquarters for soccer on the Monterey Peninsula! Enjoy lunch, a cold beer, and some football with us.

Old Monterey Cafe, a family-owned and operated restaurant located at 489 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey, is currently looking for an experienced part-time line cook who is ready to make some delicious breakfasts and lunches. If interested, please direct message us via Facebook, or visit us in person between 1-2pm any day.

Planning on grabbing a bite to eat at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Cafe? The Cafe, located inside the Aquarium, is open for dine-in meals 10am-4:30pm. Seating is available only to patrons of the Cafe, and has been reconfigured to maintain physical distancing.

Now there are two new ways to order food at the Cafe. Guests visiting onsite will be able to order via their mobile device or via our new kiosk touch screens. Even better, the entire process is cashless, making ordering your favorite meals and snacks even more convenient.

Please note: no outside food or drink may be consumed inside the Aquarium. View a sample Cafe menu here.

On June 15th, the State of California will enter a full re-opening and there will no longer be any indoor or outdoor capacity limits for any businesses. Things will be changing, but the parklets program will not be one of them.

The Campbell City Council recently voted to keep existing parklets in place through September 30, 2021. If you've grown fond of having more outdoor dining and service options, you're in luck and we're in luck. It's not going away anytime soon.

Yellow Tier Restrictions

After a long pandemic year, Santa Clara made it into the Yellow and least restrictive tier last month on May 18th. In the Yellow tier, here's what's allowed.

• Restaurants or bars that also serve food can have indoor seating up to 50% capacity
• Gyms and fitness studios can operate at up to 50% capacity indoors
• Entertainment centers can operate at up to 50% capacity indoors
• Museums can operate at 100% capacity
• Retail can operate at 100% capacity
• Bars not serving meals can open indoors up to 25% capacity

California Reopens on June 15th

On June 15th, when California enters a full re-opening, the colored tiers of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy will be retired and the above capacity limits will no longer apply. All businesses in Downtown Campbell will be allowed to operate at 100% indoors and outdoors.

Outdoor options that you've come to appreciate will continue to be available assuming those businesses wish to continue making them available and most will do so for some time to come.

Although the economy will be fully re-opened, it does not mean all health restrictions are terminated. Masks will still be required indoors for anyone who hasn't been vaccinated and there will continue to be some specific situations in which masks are still required for everyone regardless of vaccination status.

UPDATE: The big prizes have been given out, but they're still handing out $50 gift cards and other organizations are now donating really amazing prizes to encourage anyone who still hasn't been vaccinated yet to get their shots.

More than anywhere else, downtowns have a keen interest in seeing as many people vaccinated as possible. That's because our normal mode of operating is face to face and highly persona. We can't fully return to normal until the pandemic is completely behind us so if you're able to be vaccinated, please do so.

If you haven't been vaccinated yet, did you know that as part of California's Vax for the Win program you can get a $50 gift card and a chance to win prizes of $50,000 and $1.5 million as a reward for getting vaccinated? You just have to get at least your first shot by June 15th to qualify.

If you're ready to get vaccinated, just head over to myturn.ca.gov.

About the Prizes

2 Million Winners of $50
The first 2 million Californians to be vaccinated after May 27 will receive a $50 virtual prepaid card OR a $50 grocery gift card for Kroger stores or Albertsons stores.

30 Winners of $50,000 - JUNE 4 & 11
Thirty vaccinated California residents will win $50,000 each in cash. There will be 15 prize winners selected on June 4 and another 15 prize winners selected on June 11. Californians with at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine who are 12 years of age and older will be eligible to win. (If someone under 18 wins, the cash will be put in a savings account for them until they turn 18.)

10 Winners of $1,500,000 - JUNE 15
Ten vaccinated California residents will be selected on June 15 to win cash prizes of $1.5 million each. Californians with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine who are 12 years of age and older will be eligible to win. (If someone under 18 wins, the cash will be put in a savings account for them until they turn 18.)

Carpets and Floors, Inc., a locally owned small business, is now seeking someone to work as a part time sales assistant in our showroom at 471 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. You'll be greeting customers, helping salespeople with customers, and conducting other showroom duties. For more information, please phone us at 831-372-2300.