Outdoor seating program in Rochester

Data on daybreak, we recently told you about how the rochester city council extended the outdoor dining program through october.

As kimt news 3's madelyne watkins explains... some restaurant owners might not be taking advantage of it.

She joins us live now to break down what the extension means and why some businesses aren't doing it.

Good morning, madelyne./// brooke and tyler.

I spoke with the general manager here at nellie's on third and i'm learning a lot of restaurant owners here downtown are somewhat more focused on having enough parking versus seating.

You might remember the parklet located on the corner of third street right outside nellie's.

That helped significantly when it came to sitting people outside.

Then when the city stepped in and offered the outdoor seating program... they were able to have six more tables ?

"*?

"* a were a lot of the restaurants ?

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"* which created more business.

The general manager tells me they're still debating if taking advantage of the outdoor seating program this year is worth it as restrictions are more in their favor "we're kind of waiting to see what everybody else on the block wants to do.

We obviously don't want to take parking spaces from downtown, but we also know we have to do what's best for our business.

If we can generate more revenue with more tables, but we also know parking is a big struggle for downtown."

I know it's dark but if you can see here behind me... the parklet doesn't sit here anymore.

Staff at nellies actually donated it to cameo restaurant and that's why they're still thinking about the next steps.

Live in rochester.

Madelyne thank you madelyne.

The expansion of outdoor seating for bars and restaurants in rochester will continue through october of this year or until the end of the state emergency declaration ?

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