Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 4/19/2021
EASTHAMPTON – Mayor Nicole LaChapelle recently announced an updated order to allow applications for the conversion of public parking on Main Street, Union Street, and Cottage Street for the use as restaurant dining or retail space until Nov. 30.
As long as businesses operate in accordance with the most updated local and state regulations, then they will be allowed to apply for the ability to convert a public parking area into an outdoor retail or restaurant dining space.
Businesses are being asked to submit a detailed logistics plan that includes a map and/or photographs of the area to be used; the materials to separate areas from cars; a review and evaluation for American with Disabilities Act compliance; a timeline for how long the outdoor area will be in place; who will be responsible for managing the place; an exterior lighting and heating plan if applicable; and the anticipated hours of operation. An application can be denied if safety concerns cannot be resolved.
The logistics plan will be reviewed and approved by the Easthampton Police Department, the Department of Public Works, the Easthampton Health Department, the Mayor’s Office, and the Easthampton Planning Department. All must approve it.
“The mayor’s order, it’s pretty limited as to the areas that would be eligible,” said Jeffrey Bagg, the city planner for Easthampton. “This effort is really about the parking spaces.”
Bagg said that there have been questions and concerns from residents about the possibility of a lack of public parking when businesses apply for this. The planner wanted to clarify that these applications are a business choice, and not something that is being forced upon them.
Property owners are also encouraged to look at private property spaces for outdoor sale or dining. According to Bagg, the city added that piece in regulations in case owners are unable to take up any of the aforementioned public spaces. For example, Amy’s Place on Cottage Street went behind their building to build a dining area on private property.
Bagg added that the city officials involved are trying to respond to business applications within two days to let them know if their plan has been approved, denied, or if information needs to be clarified. “If there’s an issue or question, I want to get that to them immediately,” he said. “If it’s straightforward, then we would give them the approval to do it quickly.”
As of press time, the only business to apply and be approved for the outdoor dining setup is Silver Spoon Restaurant, which according to Bagg, is a restaurant that participated in outdoor dining last year, as well.
Donna Geis, the owner of Silver Spoon, said that the restaurant has four metal tables and four picnic tables set up outside the restaurant with umbrellas and plants adding a bit of verve to the location. “We’re trying to dress it up as we go,” said Geis, who added that the tables are separated by cement barriers.
Last year, the outdoor dining permit was able to sustain Silver Spoon financially well into the winter, according to Geis. A “full crowd” was in attendance for the restaurant’s first weekend of outdoor dining for this year. “I think people are still a little nervous about coming indoors, so our outdoor tables were full all day both days,” she said.
According to Geis, Silver Spoon garnered enough sales “to get by” during the winter, and the restaurant even tried combining days and hours to make sure they would be able to stay open. “We really watched our budget, and we were able to sustain through,” she added.
Businesses who want to apply for outdoor seating can do so by using the application at https://easthamptonma.gov/component/fileman/file/Parking and sending it to Bagg at jbagg@easthamptonma.gov.