The unfurling of umbrellas and return of patio furniture next week will signal the latest sign of spring: the return of outdoor dining in Concord.
In March, the Concord City Council approved a permanent outdoor dining policy, aiming to standardize a practice that began when indoor seating was limited during the pandemic.
When outdoor seating began as an effort to convince nervous diners to return to restaurants, some downtown establishments have since embraced pandemic measures. Nonna’s Place and Revival have constructed decks to hold tables, Cheer’s erected igloos to surround diners and Tandy’s expanded its outdoor seating area. New restaurants like the New Hampshire Pizza Company are also looking to include al fresco dining in their summer plans.
This year, businesses that apply for permits with the city will be able to use public areas like sidewalks, squares, city land and parking spots to seat customers between April 15 and Nov. 15.
Permitted businesses must pay $3 per foot for public space, or $1,000 to reserve a public parking space for the season. There are additional requirements that dictate outdoor furniture. For example, picnic tables are not allowed and umbrellas must be of “high quality material” without advertising.
As of April 1, The Works Café, The Post Downtown, Cheers, The Barley House, Crust and Crumb, Live Juice, Granite State Candy, Brothers Cortado, Tandy’s and Penuche’s have applied for outdoor dining permits, according to Health and Licensing Officer Gwen Williams.
Last year, 21 establishments participated in outdoor dining, according to Intown Concord’s website.
Other cities in New Hampshire have moved to make outdoor dining permanent, with Portsmouth voting to allow outdoor dining in 2022 in February. Manchester is also considering renewing a third summer of outdoor dining, charging businesses for the cost of the program for the first time.