Chula Vista Blog

Let’s take a walk down Third Avenue after all of the outdoor patios have been removed

The Day Has Finally Come: Goodbye to the Outdoor Patios on Third Avenue

Well, the day is here—and it’s a bittersweet one. A few weeks ago, I mentioned on Instagram that this past weekend would be the last for the outdoor patios along Third Avenue. The city gave businesses until Tuesday, September 4th, to take them down. Interestingly, only 3 Punks removed theirs on Sunday. The rest? They waited until the city stepped in later that night.

I had hoped to snap some photos and videos, but, let’s be honest—that was just a little too early for me.

This morning, I decided to take a stroll down Third Avenue to see the street without the patios. After getting so used to them, seeing the empty space feels strange. It’s like something is missing. If you’re curious, check out my YouTube video for a before-and-after look at the street as it is now. The one I’ll miss the most is the patio at Vogue Tavern. It was the first one I dined at during the pandemic and the last one I visited. My wife and I had dinner there on Friday to say our goodbyes. Even though the patios are gone, I’ll continue to support these businesses in every way I can.

Let me know in the YouTube comments if you’ll miss the patios, too. Interestingly, my Instagram video sparked quite a bit of conversation—some people are happy to see them go, saying it’s time to return to “normal.” The city has put together a planning commission to explore ways to bring them back in some form, but I’m not holding my breath.

I have lived in this great community for over 30 years. In that time I have seen so many changes both good and bad. My goal is to promote this city and all of the good that goes on here. There are so many local events, small businesses and community groups making this city even better. You can always find me at the events taking photos. This site is a passion project of mine and I want to use this platform to get the community engaged. Get out and enjoy Chula Vista and make sure to follow me on all the socials for more!