Trustee/Deputy Mayor Herrera Encourages and Aides Business Owners to Start Sidewalk Cafe's in Downtown Ossining.

After such a long and hard winter, we are highly anticipating the start of the spring and summer season. Did you know that we have over 10 restaurants, cafes, bars, professional offices and many residential communities within downtown Ossining? This business and residential district brings thousands of people of all walks of life daily, however not so much during the late afternoon and evenings.

Imagine walking up or down Main Street and having the option to sit in the beautiful outdoors, perhaps under an umbrella. Whether for a drink, coffee, lunch or dinner. Having local venues to visit which offer outdoor seating, makes it that much more inviting. So far, we are very fortunate to have our very own Keenan House and Doca’s Restaurant leading the effort, but we could use a few more.

“On sunny spring afternoons and warm summer nights, outdoor cafes in downtown Ossining are a perfect place to meet friends. I can’t wait for that season to get underway,” said Victory Gearity, Mayor, Village of Ossining.

Adding a few more options to dine and relax outside sound like something small, but are of the many first steps that can make a big difference.

“Sidewalk cafes are an important part of our focus on promoting the Village of Ossining as a dinning, shopping and recreation destination, said Bob Daraio, Trustee, Village of Ossining.

I have taken the initiative to personally work collaboratively and directly with the business owners, by guiding them through the application process of obtaining a “Side Walk Café Permit. Together with my colleagues on the village board and village administration I feel confident we can encourage and help business owners improve their businesses. My personal goal is to have a minimum of 5 venues open with designated seating/dining areas by June 2015.

“Trustee Herrera has been very proactive of making our environment more family friendly, creating a better place for residents to come enjoy the great attractions that our town has to offer. Omar will have a positive impact on the changes that need to be made including outdoor seating areas for customers visiting my restaurant,” said Sean Lally, Manager, Keenan House Restaurant.

This is the start of many clean-up, maintenance and programming initiatives I am compelled and determined to address and begin together with our municipality, The Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce and business owners.

Are you a business or know of a business that would like to partner with us to beautify downtown or open a sidewalk café? If so, contact me at Herrera@VillageofOssining.org.