MONTEREY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A Salinas, California news station’s report which aired on July 29, 2014, “Popular restaurant on Monterey wharf posts no loud kids sign,” has caused the impression that children are not allowed at the Old Fisherman’s Grotto restaurant on Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, California, which is not correct.
The Old Fisherman’s Grotto, established in 1950, has always allowed children and still does today. The children’s policy, adopted in 2011, does not ban children from dining at the restaurant. The restaurant welcomes families with children and serves many every day. The restaurant simply asks that parents monitor their children’s behavior so they are not a distraction to other diners.
Old Fisherman’s Grotto is a relatively small restaurant and therefore having strollers and/or high chairs at the tables and in the aisles make it difficult to have full access to get to and around tables. For the safety of staff and guests the restaurant adopted a no stroller/highchair policy in 2009.
“At Old Fisherman’s Grotto, we strive to give all of our guests the best dining experience possible and the policy relating to children was put in place to enhance the experience of all our diners with and without children,” states owner, Chris Shake.
He adds, “The signs have been in place for over three years and we have never had an issue with the policy or signs.”
Since the story aired the Old Fisherman’s Grotto has received an overwhelming response in support of the children’s policy. The restaurant has received emails from all over the United States and Canada, 90% of the emails in support of the policy. The restaurant has received over 100 phone calls and only 5 were against the policy. Reservations increased 40% the day after the story aired; many came in with children specifically to show their support for the policy.
