Restaurants take to the streets to create socially distanced dining rooms as nation reopens.
“In the historic downtown district of Warrenton, Virginia, last weekend, American flags floated on a balmy breeze above outdoor tables spilling out onto the sidewalk and into the street.
Restaurants in this part of the state were allowed to reopen outdoor dining Friday. With a rooftop deck it could fill only halfway, Denim & Pearl Restaurant got the city’s blessing to take the indoors out. Antsy to get out of the house after weeks of self-isolation, diners lined up to grab a bite on the makeshift patio.
“It was a crazy busy weekend,” Denim & Pearl owner Jenn Robinson told USA TODAY. “Just on Saturday, we did in sales what we had done the entire previous week just with curbside and delivery.”
As the U.S. reopens and summer approaches, cities from Tampa, Florida, to Las Vegas to Portland, Maine, are opening sidewalks and closing streets to create large al fresco or plein air dining rooms. They hope this nod to the bustling cafe culture of Paris and Rome will help Americans feel comfortable eating out again and help restaurants begin to recover from staggering losses.
“As we transition to reopening Las Vegas, we want to ensure we are doing everything we can to assist our small businesses,” Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman told USA TODAY. “Sidewalk dining is a safe and easy way we can help.”
Five miles from the Centers for Disease Control, Brookhaven, Georgia, was one of the nation’s first cities, if not the first, to take part in the national COVID-19 dining trend. It began offering free temporary 90-day outdoor permits in April.
“With restaurants reopening, we wanted to allow them a bigger footprint so they could serve more people but also serve them safer,” Mayor John Ernst Jr. told USA TODAY.
Socially distanced outdoor dining has been a hit with residents and restaurants from a steakhouse, which transformed a patio entrance, to Ernst’s local pizza joint, which set up tables in the parking lot. Soon, Ernst’s phone was ringing off the hook with calls from other cities exploring similar initiatives.
Now proposals are being floated all over the country to allow restaurants to spread out to sidewalks, parklets (parking spaces converted into extra outdoor seating), parking lots or even into streets as long as they adhere to safety and sanitation guidelines. Some cities are already expediting permits and waiving fees, helping restaurants whip through what is often a cumbersome and costly process.
Temporarily shutting down streets for farmers markets and music and arts festivals is common for cities, so why not for a pandemic?”
Prepare for the reopening! We have tons of patio umbrellas and curbside display options, all ranging in size, color, price & customization capabilities. Check out some of our faves below!
7′ Market Umbrella
Classic 7′ arc, wood market umbrella with cloth polyester fabric. Fiberglass rib structure for added durability. 6 panel configuration. Brass screw in connector.
7′ Solar USB Market Umbrella
7 ft x 6 panel. Brushed silver ribbed aluminum frame with USB port, Traditional aluminum ribs, 2 piece / Bottom pole with button connector, White plastic ferrule cap and runner, Heavy 8 oz. polyester cover with UV treatment, Wind vent.
7′ Full Color Market Umbrella
Full color classic 7′ arc, wood market umbrella with cloth polyester fabric. Fiberglass rib structure for added durability. 6 panel configuration. Brass screw in connector.
10′ Full Color Digital Pop Up Tent
10′ x 10′ full color/full bleed printed pop up tent. Sturdy Aluminum frame with one piece design. Carry case with wheels included.
Menu Board
“A” frame with steel hinges. Brown and Black wood frame available. Black chalk board / 2 sides.
