Montclair restaurants see uptick in outdoor dining business amid warmer temperatures
Sidewalk cafes were once considered a very European thing, but now they're permanent fixtures in the Garden State.
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With the weather warming up, businesses are taking full advantage of outdoor dining laws that are here to stay.
Sidewalk cafes were once considered a very European thing, but now they're permanent fixtures in the Garden State. Not only do patrons like them, but restaurateurs say they're great for their bottom line.
Newark resident Richard Grossklaus came to Montclair with friends Tuesday afternoon for lunch al fresco.
"This is the first time we’ve been out this season," Grossklaus said.
Restaurants in Montclair were abuzz with patrons enjoying their meals and the warm weather.
Yolanda Thornton, of East Orange, specifically chose a restaurant that offers outdoor dining for lunch with her brother.
"I love it, and I think it’s a great idea when restaurants set up outside," Thornton said.
COVID-19-era outdoor dining permissions were set to expire in November 2024. However, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill making outdoor dining permissions permanent for restaurants and certain alcoholic beverage retailers and manufacturers to conduct business within designated outdoor spaces or on public sidewalks.
Business owners say that it has been a lifeline for them.
Fredy Arevilo is the head server at Fresco da Franco. He says he's seen a jump in revenue since the change.
"Once you introduce that extra seating outside, that easily doubles revenues,” Arevilo said.
Michael Leone owns Leone’s on Park Street.
"We built a very strong online because of COVID and then after COVID, the outside blew up even more, so we were very fortunate to survive it," Leone said.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, municipalities had their own rules about outdoor dining, some even prohibiting it. But since then, outdoor dining is here to stay.
The legislation also allows for the continued use of fixtures like tents, canopies, umbrellas and tables and chairs.
