San Luis Obispo is hosting SLO Restaurant Month throughout January, an annual program designed to highlight local eateries during a typically slower season for restaurants, according to the city of SLO.
For the second year in a row, the city is organizing the monthlong event, which runs from Thursday, Jan. 1 through Saturday, Jan. 31. Participating restaurants are offering discounted menus and food specials to encourage the community and visitors to try new cuisines and dining options.
According to the city, participating restaurants must meet the following requirements:
Be a restaurant or dining establishment located within the city limits of San Luis Obispo
Offer a special menu for the month of January
Have a current business license with the city
Operate and brick-and-mortar location within the city
Laura Fiedler, Economic Development and Tourism Manager for the city, hopes to offset the slow business of the season with both additional advertising and incentives for local diners, such as a $250 gift card that people can enter a raffle for whenever they dine at a participating restaurant. Four people will win each week and be notified via email.
“We are always looking to improve the program and increase awareness, and we seek feedback from participating restaurants and diners through surveys,” wrote Fiedler.
City officials say that choosing to dine out during this season can make a measurable difference for local businesses. During the first year SLO Restaurant Month was held, restaurants in the city outperformed both county and state trends.
Last year, restaurants in San Luis Obispo recorded a 4% year-over-year increase in restaurant sales tax revenue during January, according to the City of San Luis Obispo.
Dining and Cooking