Bellingham closed some roads for restaurants to seat diners outside. Here’s the result
Running a restaurant or bar during the current COVID-19 restrictions is proving to be very difficult, but some Bellingham businesses are seeing a much-needed boost in areas where streets have been temporarily closed to expand outdoor seating.
Last month the city announced it was temporarily closing portions of Holly Street, 10th Street and Railroad Avenue to give businesses in those areas a chance to expand outdoor seating. The closures are expected to remain in place while the weather allows for the outdoor seating, possibly until the end of October.
The latest restrictions in Washington’s Safe Start program really puts a crimp on indoor seating at restaurants. Rules that went into effect last month include only having members of the same household at a table.
Closing Holly Street between Commercial and Bay streets was perhaps the most controversial, given that it is a main route through the downtown core. Business owners in the area haven’t noticed traffic jams because of the detour and after a few weeks some businesses have reopened and others increased sales.
The decision leading to the creation of “Holly Street Plaza” prompted Helen Neville to reopen her bar, 542, which closed March 14 about two weeks after its grand opening. Now more of a restaurant format, 542 has been serving customers outside on the street for a little over a week.
It’s been such a success for 542 that Neville is now starting to ponder next steps, like what to do this winter with outdoor seating or adding a to-go menu. Given how difficult it is to predict what the pandemic situation will be like a few months from now, Neville is focused on this temporary outdoor period.
“I’m a planner, so for me it’s about getting comfortable with uncertainty,” Neville said.
Next door to 542 another bar/restaurant is getting ready to open later this month. Known for a short time as Boy Howdy, the owners of the nearby Black Sheep spent some time remodeling the space and will reopen it as a tropical-themed bar/restaurant called Lorikeet. Given its small indoor space, the outdoor plaza has allowed them to reopen at least while the weather is warm and sunny.
“This plaza has been immensely helpful for Black Sheep,” said Chas Kubis, who co-owns Black Sheep with Charlie Pasquier. “People feel safer being outside.”
Neville and Kubis said that, initially, they were seeing younger people using the plaza, but more often now there’s an older crowd, and they are observing the rules when it comes to wearing masks and being socially distant.
For businesses that have remained open during the pandemic, the boost in sales was noticeable. The coffee house Camber at Holly and Bay streets has seen a 40% increase in sales on the weekends, said co-founder David Yake.
“It’s wonderful to see all the smiling eyes,” Yake said.
The boost has prompted Yake to refresh Camber’s lunch menu and they plan to continue patio service as deep into fall and winter as customers allow.
City plans
Bellingham officials continue to receive feedback from the community about the temporary street closures, Senior Planner Darby Cowles said.
“Some are grateful and excited for the opportunity for additional space for people downtown and happy to support the restaurants and businesses that need the space to continue operating,” Cowles said. “Others have expressed frustration about the inconvenience of having to take a detour for something they do not perceive as a critical function requiring a full street closure.”
The city isn’t planning on any additional street closures at this time, Cowles said. They have been receiving applications from businesses for individual sidewalk cafes and/or parklets.
Going forward, the city may consider renewing some of the permits on road closures, but they are taking many factors into account, including community feedback, the functionality of the public spaces and the needs of the business community.
This story was originally published August 10, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
