Al Fresco, Always from Morning Brew
Outdoor dining in NYC/Noam Galai/Getty Images

New York’s pandemic-era outdoor dining program will become permanent, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced yesterday, granting a big win to restaurants and Canada Goose's revenue forecast.

The backstory: As we all know, the coronavirus sent the dining sector spiraling, because you can’t wear a mask when you’re eating and the spread of the virus is much more prevalent indoors.

No one knows exactly how many restaurants have closed in New York City, but estimates from August put it around 1,000.
A recent survey showed that almost 90% of NYC dining establishments didn’t pay full rent in August.
In June, the city introduced a program called Open Restaurants, which allowed more than 10,300 restaurants to spill outside onto sidewalks, streets, and public spaces previously not available to them. It was supposed to sunset at the end of October, but the city considers it an invaluable lifeline to the battered sector.

Who’s gonna say it? C’mon, you know you want to
That famous Game of Thrones quote: “A chill is forthcoming.” While outdoor dining is relatively simple in the summer, it’s a logistical nightmare in the winter. That’s especially true in NYC, where the supply of heat lamps is low and legal barriers around heaters for commercial use remain unresolved.

London, too, is facing an “unprecedented surge” for outdoor heaters from restaurants and pubs, reports the FT. One heater company exec said demand is up 5x over last year.
Some restaurants are getting creative. On the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Café du Soleil installed 18 geodesic tents, or “space bubbles,” to help block winter elements from pelting patrons as they enjoy some antipasti. But most establishments don’t have the resources to go all out like that.

Looking ahead…indoor dining resumes at 25% capacity on September 30, but NYC’s decision yesterday is an admission that partial indoor service alone is not enough to prevent a restaurant industry calamity.