Outdoor Dining Could Become Permanent In Riverhead

RIVERHEAD, NY — Outdoor dining, a lifeline for downtown businesses in Riverhead during the pandemic, may soon become permanent.

Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar said over the past year, compliance with COVID-19 directives presented insurmountable challenges, resulting in "catastrophic financial losses" for local restaurants.

"With local eateries on life support," the town created a COVID-19 outdoor dining plan, enabling restaurants to temporarily utilize outdoor seating areas to remain in compliance with Department of Health social distancing mandates, she said.

The initiative was well-received by the public as well as restaurant owners, who were able to maintain safe capacity levels, helping to mitigate financial losses caused by the pandemic, she said.

The Riverhead Town board has been contemplating making the measure permanent as a way to help struggling establishments. A new amendment to Chapter 253 of the town code on outdoor dinin gand operating sidewalk cafes would keep outdoor dining in place.

The town board voted unanimously to hold a public hearing on the issue; the hearing will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 21, at 6:15 p.m. in the Town Hall boardroom.

"This amendment, if adopted, will be a lifeline for our restaurant owners," Aguiar said.

"The outdoor dining is a win-win," said Riverhead Town Councilwoman Catherine Kent. "It’s good for our local restaurants and people enjoy dining al fresco."