San Diego City Wire

A San Diego health food restaurant is not following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s lockdown orders. 

The Village SD opened two months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“We followed all the guidelines and shuttered indoor dining as the governor ordered,” The Village SD owner Alondra Ruiz said. “At that time we believed we were doing the right thing and we struggled. We saw so many small businesses close their doors. Then we were allowed to open our outdoor patio. With absolutely no government help we spent the little bit of money we had - thousands of dollars for our customers."

Ruiz said she would stay open rather than shutting down the outdoor dining option. 

In an Instagram video, The Village SD outdoor seating area is well-spaced out. 

Ruiz said the restaurant is taking a new approach by staying open as other businesses are being allowed to play by different rules. 

“Now we have a different perspective. During the lockdown we saw how big corporations were getting richer and richer and small businesses like us hurt tremendously and some - many, permanently closed." 

In particular, Ruiz called out conditions on airplanes as nonsensical in comparison to Newsom’s orders.

“Some restaurants, following guidelines spacing their tables six feet apart are getting shut down. It just doesn’t make sense,” she said. “You can get on an airplane and sit elbow to elbow with a perfect stranger, eat food right next to them and for some reason you cannot contract the virus like that. We don’t do that in restaurants. We don’t sit a perfect stranger next to another stranger elbow to elbow and tell them they are going to eat next to each other.” 

Ruiz said she hopes more businesses in California follow her lead. 

“This is why we are taking a stand. I hope this inspires small businesses to stand up,” she said.   

Following the announcement, the county health department issued a cease and desist letter.