After successfully applying to the MBTS BOS, Cala's officially began offering "al fresco" dining in Summer, 2020. The BOS Monday voted to end the use of redeployed street parking for dining on July 11. Limited sildewalk dining will be allowed through August.
Woodman’s in Essex created a massive outdoor dining pavilion with picnic tables overlooking the marsh behind its restaurant on Main Street.
Manchester opened up resident-only parking lot at Masonomo Park to everyone for three-hour, free parking to encourage visitors to come to town, eat and shop.
For years, some Manchester downtown businesses like Manchester By The Book and the Stock Exchange have used the areas just outside their doors to display goods to entice people inside. Essex, with its antique shops, has practically made an art of it. But in this “COVIDian” time of shutting down, other businesses including restaurants and retailers who don’t have a lot of “entry” sidewalk space have sought to expand their storefronts into the outdoor sidewalks to ensure safety and they need help and support from their towns to make it happen.
Last week, that started to happen.
For many, it can’t come soon enough. On Monday, after Governor Baker launched the state’s “Phase 2” reopening plan, the Manchester Board of Selectmen approved two applications for outdoor dining from Cala’s and Bravo by the Sea. Bravo’s application was to expand the current outdoor seating it has to properly space tables. Cala’s, which has been living off of take-out business, is looking to move outside and offer service at sidewalk café tables. Approval of the applications will extend through November.
After the vote, the town approved outdoor dining, allowing restaurants to utilize sidewalk space and up to two on-street parking spaces in front of their establishments, if properly barricaded, for outdoor dining. Pedestrians must be fully accommodated, tables/chairs must be six feet apart and additional state protocols must be followed.
“We want our downtown to succeed and we want to promote our businesses,” said Greg Federspiel, town administrator in Manchester. “We want to do whatever we can to safely support downtown.”
The Essex downtown is dominated by restaurants. Shea’s. Woodman’s. The Village. The Great Marsh Brewing Company. CK Pearl. These all line the Causeway, and there are more not too far off the “main drag.” Farnham’s. Windward Grill. Blue Marlin. The Mill. Many of these were long into plans for outdoor dining, so when “Phase 2” was approved they moved quickly. Those with existing decks have opened outdoor service there (The Village, CK Pearl, among others). Others have made bigger moves. Woodman’s created a massive, cordoned off outdoor dining area under a large tent overlooking the marsh with picnic tables. Across the street, Shea’s created a dining area on the water alongside the restaurant from a piece of its parking lot to complement the deck off the main restaurant. These solutions by many restaurants are just getting started, and they’re working.
Back in Manchester, more restaurants are expected to apply with the town for outdoor service, either to add to what they already have (like Bravo) or to create a whole new space. The Mooring will need access to the sidewalk for service to expand beyond current take out business. Allie’s Beach Street Café has been doing a big take out business aimed at those who might want to settle in at Reed Park, the waterfront public space abutting the restaurant. But it has a small area out front with a picnic table. Others like the Laughing Gull (formerly Essen, but still owned by Dede and Bruce Warren) already have outside seating but may seek more space to take full advantage of the summer season. Antique Table is open already for outdoor dining on its deck. And Black Arrow, which features an entire wall of sliding windows and already feels like “al fresco” dining, is somewhere in between.
In addition to approving outdoor dining, last week the Manchester BOS voted to remove the “resident parking only” restriction at Masconomo Park to encourage out-of-town visitors to patronize local businesses, but kept it to three hours only to also encourage turnover and discourage beach parking (which will not help local retailer or restaurant traffic).
In the end, this will be a controlled experiment. Every town in Massachusetts is going through this, so Essex and Manchester are not alone. Similar reopening practices are happening in other local towns, including Beverly, Marblehead, and Newburyport, where restaurants and other small businesses have taken to outdoor dining and shopping.
Allie’s does not offer information on outdoor dining and café online.
Cala’s is only offering takeaway or delivery for now.
Black Arrow is currently takeaway only.
Antique Table’s patio is open, and reservations are encouraged. Guests must wear masks to walk through restaurant to patio.
Bravo by the Sea is open for takeaway and delivery, and now offers patio seating.
Essen (now Laughing Gull)’s outdoor seating is now available.
Shea’s offers outdoor dining by reservation and curbside pickup daily.
Woodman’s has outdoor seating available within social distance guidelines and is also offering takeaway and delivery options.
Farnham’s is currently offering takeout only.
The Village is open for patio dining Thursday through Saturday from 12-8 p.m., and reservations are recommended. Dine-in will be limited to 2 hours per party, and only four guests are allowed per table to ensure social distancing. To check in, only one member of party will be allowed inside. Masks are mandatory for entering the building.
Great Marsh Brewing Company has outdoor dining on its beer deck from 12-9 p.m. Parties must enter onto the deck itself from 103 Main St entrance because access through the building is not available.
CK Pearl’s deck is open, but guests must call ahead for reservations. To check in, send one member of party (masked) to meet host inside. All members of party must wear masks to walk through building (to get to deck, go to restrooms, etc.).
The Mill currently offers curbside pickup and delivery only, and customers must order and pay over the phone.
The Farm offers outdoor dining for parties of no more than six, and accepts both reservations and walk-ins. There are also takeaway options available
