When Broadway Catering and Restaurant in Worcester has filled up with hungry diners, manager Betsy Isildakli says it’s been vital to have outdoor seating, so they don’t have to turn people away.
“Whatever we don’t have inside ... we use it for outside,” Isildakli said.
Now, thanks to a pilot program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and approved by the Worcester License Commission on Friday, Broadway and four other Water Street restaurants are allowed to expand their seating into the street for so-called “streatery” dining until at least Nov. 15.
Get Boston local news, weather forecasts, lifestyle and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Boston’s newsletters.
“It’s great, it helps us a lot. Some people, they want to sit outside, they’re not comfortable yet coming in the restaurant,” Isildakli said.
Diala Javr, with Bay State Shawarma & Grill said, “I believe it will bring more people to our street.”
“If it’s good for business then I think it’s good,” said Worcester resident Ashley Hastings.
But while that’s good for these businesses, some are worried that it will add to the congestion of the Canal District that surrounds the construction of Polar Park.
And those who live nearby aren’t thrilled to be losing 10 parking spaces to make “streatery” dining possible.
“There’s not enough parking around here as it is,” neighbor Shane Pellerin said.
Listen to our free podcast, "The Dish I Miss," where Boston chefs explain what they miss cooking diners during the coronavirus crisis. It's on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
But with COVID restrictions still in place, many customers understand why the city needs to help these restaurants succeed.
“With all the money they sunk into downtown and stuff like that, they’re trying to bring people in and if there’s no shops and restaurants for people to go to, they’re just going to turn right around and head back from wherever they came from,” Gus Hayfron of Worcester said.
Those restaurant owners we spoke with say the hope is this type of “streatery” dining will continue next spring as well.
