BOSTON — While some restaurant owners across Massachusetts are figuring out how to set up outdoor seating, others in the North End of Boston are doubtful they can make it work.
“Since the neighborhood is very old and the streets are very small,” said Frank Mendoza, who owns Monica’s Trattoria on Prince Street. “I just don’t know how I’m going to be able to have outside seating – it’s just we’re not banking on it, we’re not preparing for it.”
In Phase 2 of reopening, the governor says restaurants will be allowed to have outdoor dining only for a while, with tables six feet apart along with other restrictions. However, Mendoza said his restaurant is on a tiny, residential street where tables may not be possible.
“We have a handicap spot over here, we have two handicap ramps, we have a lot of elderly people,” Mendoza said.
So far, the City of Boston said it has received more than 250 requests from businesses who would like to open up outdoor seating on their sidewalk or street. In some locations the city said it could allow restaurant seating along an entire block.
>>>MORE: State releases guidelines for restaurants to reopen beginning with outdoor dining only
“If you have a backyard, if you have an alleyway, or maybe you have the greenway, if you’re around there that may work out for you, but the space I have is the space I have,” Mendoza said.
He added that, for now, he may not be able to reopen his restaurant until the next phase, when indoor seating is allowed. So now, he’s trying to figure out what changes to make inside to keep customers safe from COVID-19 whenever he gets that green light.
“The plastic dividers, you know I have to preorder them,” Mendoza said. “There’s not too many people making them, so it’d be nice if I could get them to give me some sort of idea.”
Mendoza said he’s thankful to at least still have his deli market open across the street, but he’ll keep counting down the days until his restaurant can finally reopen.
“We’re just here trying to do our best, see what our next move is, and you know nothing’s off the table,” he said.
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