Restaurants on Fourth Street’s west block will keep their extra weekend outdoor seating through the end of the year, even as the weather gets chillier.
The Columbus Board of Works approved a request Tuesday from Tyler Hodge, co-owner of Lucabe Coffee, for restaurants to be able to continue closing the street from 4 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays in order to allow for additional outdoor seating for customers.
In June, a group of downtown restaurants, including Hodge’s shop, requested to be able to close the Fourth Street on weekend nights through Oct. 31. In its approval of Hodge’s recent request, the city extended that end date to the end of 2020.
Outdoor seating has been a saving grace to many restaurants during the pandemic, as indoor seating has been limited by both social distancing protocols and some customers’ unease with sitting inside.
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Hodge said that having the request approved by the city was “encouraging.”
“This weekend is supposed to be lovely,” he said, “and so we are hopeful to provide another opportunity for people to get out and enjoy, especially for the Wine Walk.”
On Thursday, Columbus’ Downtown Association and member businesses held a Fall Wine Walk, with locations featuring specials, as well as free beverages and snacks at most establishments.
The event was the kick-off for the Chamber of Commerce’s “Think Local” campaign, which encourages residents to shop at local businesses.
“Part of that, I think, is … encouraging folks to come down, get a warm cup of coffee, bring their blanket and enjoy downtown and the brisk air,” said Hodge, who is working with the chamber on the campaign.
He also said that the downtown merchants’ association is holding other events to generate community engagement with downtown businesses. One such event is the annual “A Not So Silent Night” in December, where shops will stay open later than usual to promote downtown shopping.
Downtown businesses, including restaurants, will hold also special events during the festive night, which is set for 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 10.
