BATAVIA – A locally owned, Batavia-based company is providing comfortable seating for outdoor dining and gatherings, which have become a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a news release, Barco Products manufactures outdoor furniture made from recycled plastic milk jugs. The company is now offering Illinois cities and businesses discounts on commerical-grade picnic tables and outdoor dining furniture in hopes of bringing more customers back to local businesses after the shutdown.

“Do something for your business’ bottom line, your customer’s bottom, Illinois and for the environment by acting today,” stated Jeff Matter, Barco Products director, in the news release.

Barco Products also announced two significant donations of outdoor furniture to local community projects that it is proud to support, the news release stated.

The city of Batavia received $25,000 worth of picnic tables and umbrellas for the new outdoor dining areas it established to assist local restaurants. Barco Products also gave the new Batavia Boardwalk Shops at the corner of Wilson Street and Illinois Route 25 in downtown Batavia $8,000 worth of outdoor furniture, including picnic tables, park benches, trash receptacles, bike racks and a message board.

“Having a Batavia family-owned company like Barco in our community partner with us for the Boardwalk Shops has been a gift. Their generosity and product quality will be a great addition to the newest economic engine in Downtown Batavia,” stated Batavia Boardwalk Shop Volunteer Manager Jamie Saam.

“Barco Products is a local business with local employees, and we want to help restore downtown Batavia and support local Illinois bars and restaurants get up and running,” Matter stated. “We want to assist hard-pressed businesses in the hospitality sector take advantage of the Restore Illinois Plan that allows these businesses to offer outdoor seating for customers.”