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​The pandemic has hit every business hard. Even with takeout orders being permitted, restaurants and cafés are taking a huge loss. However, with outdoor dining solutions, the impact can be mitigated. Using outdoor space for dining can generate much-needed revenue. 
 
So how can you create that outdoor dining space? For starters, don’t just wing it and put out flimsy chairs and tables, make it an experience so customers will want to come back again and again. Remember, you still have competition, and standing out from the business down the street can make all the difference right now. 
 
Utilizing patio space, parking lots, and even opening an area that’s enclosed by drop curtains and awnings, is a great way to start increasing your sales. So where do you start? What should you be thinking about? Here are some things to consider and to do when creating an outdoor dining area. 

1. Convert a section of your parking lot and put out some sturdy tables and chairs. 
2. Contact your local awning company for industrial strength and quality canopies and awnings that are capable of weathering constant sunlight, wind, and even some rain. Remember, cheap patio covers as awnings, canopies, and other popup shade structures break easily, tear, and cost you more because you will have to keep replacing them. 
3. Convert your patio area into a dining area - if you don’t have a parking lot you can utilize - by installing a patio cover or awning to shade guests while they are eating.
4. Remember to social distance your guests by ensuring tables and chairs are six feet apart. 
5. Ensure your outdoor dining space is safe by blocking off a sufficient amount of surrounding area from cars and other types of traffic. 
6. Decorate or Light up your shade structure for nighttime dining which will dazzle your guests and keep them coming back for more than just take out. Remember, when people dine-in, they tend to order more. (Or at least that’s been my experience). 
7. Customize your Awning or Outdoor Dining Space by installing a shade structure that will wow your customers. 
8. Advertise your Outdoor Dining option by hanging a sign and call attention to your restaurant’s beautiful new addition.

 
For more than 100 years, we at American Awning and Blind Co. have installed custom awnings, retractable's, curtains, and shades for the restaurant and hospitality industry. We’re the experts in our field and can help you through this pandemic by working with you to create that outdoor dining area so you can get back to business and generate some sales. We’ve worked with restaurateurs, architects, designers, and contractors on projects all over Southern California. We walk you through the process of creating your outdoor project, from design, permitting, structural engineering, fabrication, and installation so you have peace of mind. 
 
Let us know if we can help you and contact us now for your free consultation with our awning and shade experts. For more information about outdoor dining solutions, feel free to contact us. For more information about what we do and other shade structures, visit us online at American Awning & Blind Co. at http://www.americanawningabc.com. (Our California Contractors License is #999050). Or give us a call at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

​The storefront is an important first impression, customer attracting component of your business. Dressing up your restaurant with signs, advertisements, and using a great color scheme are essential in your business’ storefront presentation. But did you know adding a patio cover, canopy, or even an awning can enhance the aesthetics of your restaurant and possibly increase your sales?

So, how can that work? Well, when you install a patio cover, awning, or canopy, you’re adding a 3-dimensional layer to your restaurant that attracts attention. The enhancement to your business is eye catching, attention grabbing, and sets you apart from the competition. Imagine your storefront with only window signs and the next eatery over has a beautiful canopy or awning that customers can sit under and enjoy a meal outside. Imagine the difference in look and feel and you’ll see, patio covers and awnings are worth the investment. Here’s some reasons to consider:

​So, now that you know a little more about how patio covers and awnings can enhance your restaurant, let us know how we can help you with your next shade structure project. Remember, maximizing your restaurant’s footprint to produce the most sales is a great way to streamline your business and stay profitable.
 
For more information about patio covers and awnings, feel free to contact us. For more information about what we do and other shade structures, visit us online at American Awning & Blind Co. at http://www.americanawningabc.com. (Our California Contractors License is #999050). Or give us a call at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com. 

​​We’ve talked about this before but it’s always good to keep fresh on the topic of fabric replacement and awning recovery. This option is a great way to save thousands of dollars when it comes to your awning and your home or business.
 
So, what is an awning recovery or replacement? Well, let’s say your awning’s been installed for five years and the frame is strong and sturdy, but the fabric is starting to look old and worn, colorless, and torn. Instead of ripping out the whole structure, you can just replace the fabric! This can save you thousands! 

A new awning, depending on what kind you want and need for your business or home, can be a few hundred to thousands of dollars for a commercial installation. So, if you’re a business that has fading fabric, utilizing awning recovery instead of buying a brand new one, is a great way to save.
 
So, what does an awning recovery involve? Here’s a short list of things:

​Awning recovery is easy and cost efficient and is an option that we don’t always remember we have. So, the next time you’re looking at your awning and thinking it needs to be replaced, remember, you can recover it instead!
 
For more information about awnings, feel free to contact us. For more information about what we do and other shade structures, visit us online at American Awning & Blind Co. at http://www.americanawningabc.com. (Our California Contractors License is #999050). Or give us a call at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com. 

So, you’ve got a beautifully painted home and now you want to install an awning. But, what about the frame? Will it match? Good news, it can! At American Awning and Blind Co. we offer color options for your awning’s frame!

​So, what do you need to know when it comes to choosing an awning frame color? For starters, you can have the frame powder coated instead of painted. You can also have the frame mocked up in rendering so you can see how it would look with your home. In fact, here are some other things you need to know or think about when it comes to awning frame colors:

​Awning frame colors get overlooked or forgotten. But, now that you know more about your options and why painting your awning frame is a great way to spruce up your shade structure, you can make the choice. Click here to see our standard frame colors. Please keep in mind that we do offer custom colors as well!

For more information about awnings, feel free to contact us. For more information about what we do and other shade structures, visit us online at American Awning & Blind Co. at http://www.americanawningabc.com. (Our California Contractors License is #999050). Or give us a call at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com. 

What are vinyl enclosures and how can you utilize these revenue generating accents to your business?
 
Vinyl enclosure typically have clear windows and enclose an outdoor dining or other patio area. The enclosure is an extended footprint of the business. Think of an outdoor dining area with tables and chairs and then enclose it with tasteful fabric structures. 

So why would you want to spend the time and money to have vinyl enclosures installed? These durable, revenue generating type of shade structures provide a myriad of aesthetics, benefits, and uniqueness to your business. Including but not limited to the below list:

• Dining Seats: If you install vinyl enclosures, you extend your restaurant or business’ ability to generate revenue with extra seats the interior of your building couldn’t fit. The area becomes potential sales generating space you didn’t have before. Within a month or two, you could make back what you invested to install the enclosures.
• Ambiance that Attracts Customers: How many times have you wanted to sit outside at a restaurant, but it didn’t have outdoor space? With vinyl enclosures, you can attract customers looking for that ambiance. You’d be surprised how many customers won’t come to your business simply because of the ambiance. 

​Now that you know a little more about what vinyl enclosures are and how they can generate revenue for your business or restaurant, let us know how we can help you! For more information about vinyl enclosures and awnings, feel free to contact us. For more information about what we do and other shade structures, visit us online at American Awning & Blind Co. at http://www.americanawningabc.com. (Our California Contractors License is #999050). Or give us a call at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com. 

Fall is here and the cool weather, the rain, and the shorter days are welcome after a long, hot summer. But just because it’s cooler doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be vigilant about your dog’s safety in your own backyard.
 
It may seem strange to think that the fall season can bring dangers to your pet. But it’s important to know that there are many things that can harm your dog in the fall. Check out some of the things we think you should be aware of: 

·      Awnings to Protect from the Rain: Consider installing an awning to create a safe, protected area for your pet if you leave him/her in the backyard. The awning can protect your dog from the rain and be the designated area for your little buddy during inclement weather.
·      Puddles: Standing puddles of water can be fun to splash in, but remember, these can contain bugs and other chemicals that have run off from your garden (pesticides) and thus, can harm your pet. Be sure to clear puddles of water after it rains.
·      Wild Mushrooms: Check your grass, your yards, and even along the edges of your fences for wild mushrooms and other vegetation. Some mushrooms are poisonous or harmful to your dog. Diarrhea and other ailments can be cause by these seemingly innocuous mushrooms. So remember to pull them out if you see them growing.
·      Leaf Piles: Might seem like a great idea to let your dog jump in that pile of leaves and frolic about. But the reality is, these leaves, especially if they’re left to rot, can be harmful to your pet. Toxins can build up in these piles and cause your pet to have seizures and other ailments. So be sure to clean up the leaves ASAP and give your dog a fun toy to play with instead of that deciduous pile.
·      Cool Weather: If you have a lapdog or a pet that just doesn’t go outside, you might want to consider buying “clothes” for him or her for warmth.  Some dogs need that extra sweater to stay warm because they’re not built to be outside all the time. (Think of maltipoos and other small dog breeds).
·      Decorations: If you decorate, be sure your dog can’t get at them or at least, the decorations are big and strong enough that your dog can’t eat them. Remember, fall decorations often contain glitter, glue, and other materials that can hurt your dog’s delicate tummy. So be sure your decorations are out of reach or sturdy. 

​Fall is a great season to cuddle with your pet and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa and relax. Keeping your pet safe from the potential harms of the fall season will give you some peace of mind as you deal with the crazy that comes with the fall holiday season. (You can check that concern off your box).
 
For more information about awnings, feel free to contact us. For more information about what we do and other shade structures, visit us online at American Awning & Blind Co. at http://www.americanawningabc.com. (Our California Contractors License is #999050). Or give us a call at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com.