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Restaurants try to maximize outdoor space as they reopen to dining

Posted at 6:31 PM, Jun 05, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-05 18:31:57-04

(WXYZ) — Outdoor dining is something many see during the summer months. Now, it could benefit restaurants as they try to bounce back after being hit hard financially due to the shutdown.

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Several cities in our area are trying to make sure restaurants can serve more customers. Restaurants like Flowers of Vietnam in Southwest Detroit are trying to maximize space to serve more customers.

"That’s COVID solutions, spur of the moment COVID solutions, actually,” says George Azar, who has owned Flowers of Vietnam on Vernor Highway for a few years.

He said they’ve been trying to survive the best they can with carry out only.

“We’re on life support but it looks like we will make it.”

Starting Monday, restaurants can open their dining rooms at half capacity. Azra’s restaurant can seat up to 78 people at a time.

To be able to serve more diners, he took a portion of his back parking lot and decided to create an outdoor patio.

“Came out a lot better than I thought it was going to be, so yeah it’s going to be permanent.”

Many restaurants in Detroit are trying to come up with similar solutions which is why the city is trying to expedite outdoor dining permits.

Charity Dean is the city’s Director of Civil Rights Inclusion and Opportunity.

“They will get a virtual permit. The city is going to come out and do inspections to make sure people are using proper protocol, that there is PPE and there is social distancing,” she said.

Other cities are making similar moves.

Royal Oak could allow restaurants to seat folks in parking spaces on a temporary basis.

City council will be meeting Monday to discuss that.

Ann Arbor is shutting down streets in their area to allow bars and restaurants to expand there.

Rochester Hills is now reviewing permit submissions within 48 hours, they’ve eased restrictions until the end of the year and lessened fees in the permit process.

“Significant plans over at the Village of Rochester Hills to put some big tents out. We are happy to help,” Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett explained. “Our community gets the fact that we have to think a little differently in this environment.”

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