Board Approves Year-Round Al Fresco Dining

If you've ever had the urge to sip hot chocolate or enjoy a bowl of hot soup on a cold winter's day with Mother Nature herself, now you can.

The village board Thursday unanimously agreed to grant merchants in town the chance to offer their patrons al fresco dining no matter what season.

Currently, the European-style dining is offered in Garden City, via village permit, April 1 through Nov. 30. Of the 41 restaurants that obtained outdoor dining permits this season – now in its 13th year – 38 of them want to offer it all year round.

No word yet on how much a 12-month permit will cost.

"I think it's a great idea. I'm on board!" Connie Deckel, general store manager of Kings in Garden City, said, adding that the supermarket has offered the outdoor seating for approximately 10 years.

Laura Graney, owner of The Cupcake Corner on New Hyde Park Road, adds: "I think it's great for the community and our gourmet hot cocoa is enjoyed all year round so it's great that people will be allowed to drink it outside."

John Wilton, chair of the Merchants, Professionals & Retailers group, brought the idea to the board's attention earlier this month. Wilton said merchants have agreed to remove chairs and tables daily and remove snow during winter months in front of their establishments.

"These merchants assured that if the board of trustees considered this, they'd take on any snow removal in front of their property to the curb line," he said.

Mayor Robert Rothschild also noted that the 12-month cycle could encourage smokers to use the tables and chairs instead of milling around on the sidewalk.

Trustee Dennis Donnelly, board liaison to the business community, made the motion. He questioned the use of outdoor heaters, mainly fired through the use of propane. The mayor said the use of such heaters would not be permitted.

The English translation of al fresco means "in the fresh" (air). Years back, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce requested the village change its code to allow for outdoor dining by permit. Officials believed the project was an effective way to encourage shopping in Garden City's downtown, serving as an enhancement for businesses on Franklin Avenue, Seventh Street and New Hyde Park Road. In May 1997, the feature was officially implemented.