Maricopa County Project Encourages Restaurants To Open In Unusual Commercial Spaces

September 30, 2013

Maricopa County launched a new project that will change the cookie-cutter look of restaurants. It is aimed at getting new restaurants into unusual and old commercial spaces. Maricopa County will grant six month trial permits to new restaurants opening in buildings not designed for eateries. The trial permit allows restaurants owners to open their businesses in vacant locations like banks, beauty salons and private homes and bypass county regulations over design and layout.

County Supervisor Clint Hickman said the goal is to get these types businesses into outlying areas where an economic jumpstart is needed.

"We’re hoping that we’ll be able to let them skip several steps to get their business open faster than going through long tedious paperwork process," Hickman said.

Restaurant owners will transfer to a one year license once they have passed all inspections. The program was modeled after several Phoenix area restaurants that have successfully opened in non-traditional locations.