Outdoor Business This Summer? Improve Customer Comfort with Commercial Shade

June 27, 2025

From Curb Appeal to Comfort

Summer is peak season for restaurants, cafés, markets, and storefronts that rely on foot traffic. But in Southern California, sunshine can be a double-edged sword: high heat and UV exposure make outdoor areas less inviting if shade isn’t part of the design.


If your business includes outdoor seating, waiting areas, or merchandise displays, now is the time to think about adding—or upgrading—your commercial awnings. At MQ Awnings, we design and install custom awnings that make outdoor areas cooler, more comfortable, and more visually appealing.


Whether you run a restaurant in Newport Beach or a boutique in Huntington Park, a well-designed awning isn’t just about blocking sun—it’s a way to improve customer experience, extend usable space, and strengthen your brand.

A flower shop with a striped awning on the front of it.

Why Shade Matters for Business

Hot weather directly affects how long customers stay, how much they enjoy their visit, and how likely they are to return. With inflation and competition affecting every corner of retail and hospitality, details like sun protection and climate comfort can make a real difference.


Here’s what a commercial awning provides:

  • Sun protection and cooler temperatures
    Quality awnings can reduce direct sunlight and glare, keeping customers and staff more comfortable during peak heat hours.
  • More usable outdoor space
    By covering patios or walkways, awnings allow businesses to expand seating or display areas without sacrificing customer comfort.
  • Reduced cooling costs
    Strategic placement of window and entrance awnings can reduce solar heat gain inside your building, easing the strain on your air conditioning system and lowering utility costs.
  • Increased curb appeal
    Awnings add architectural character, highlight your storefront, and make your business easier to spot from the street.
A small restaurant with tables and chairs in front of it.

Awnings for Every Business Type

At MQ Awnings, we offer both fixed and retractable awnings tailored to your building and business needs. Ideal for cafés, bars, and retail shops, these awnings offer reliable protection from heat and UV rays, and can be customized to match your building’s exterior.


Retractable options give you added flexibility—use them for shade during midday hours and retract them in the evening for open-sky ambiance.

A building with a roof that has a lot of lights on it

Opportunities for Branding

Commercial awnings are more than functional—they’re an extension of your brand identity.


We offer custom printing and graphics on awning fabrics, allowing you to include:

  • Your business name or logo
  • Taglines or slogans
  • Colors that match your visual branding
  • Storefront callouts (e.g., “Espresso & Gelato,” “Outdoor Seating,” “Now Open”)



A well-designed printed awning is visible from the street and sidewalk, attracting attention without extra signage. It’s especially effective in pedestrian-heavy areas like Old Town Orange, downtown Huntington Beach, or high-traffic shopping centers.

A house with a patio with a lot of chairs and a table.

Built for California Conditions

Our awnings are engineered for Southern California’s climate—that means resistance to sun fading, salt air, high winds, and sudden downpours.


We use:

  • Marine-grade acrylic fabrics with UV protection
  • Powder-coated aluminum frames for strength and corrosion resistance
  • CAD-driven custom design to ensure fit, style, and function
  • In-house fabrication and installation with no subcontracting delays



All projects are backed by warranties on both frame and fabric, and we handle all necessary permitting so your business stays compliant.

A blurry picture of people sitting at tables in a restaurant at night.

Get Ready for Summer

If your business uses or needs outdoor space, don’t let this summer pass you by without addressing shade. A new awning can boost revenue, reduce overhead, and elevate your customer experience.



Contact MQ Awnings today to schedule a consultation and learn how a tailored awning can transform your commercial property. Whether you need one storefront awning or an entire patio structure, we’re ready to design, build, and install it—on time and on budget.

A green awning is on the side of a building
A building with blue awnings and white shutters on the windows
A row of red lanterns hanging from the ceiling
A store front with a black and white awning over it.
A restaurant with tables and chairs in front of it.
A cafe with a green awning that says cafe jade
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