CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The first location of a new street dining program in Charlotte to help businesses struggling amid the pandemic is now open.
Thomas Streatery, which is located on Thomas Avenue in Plaza Midwood, is part of the StreetEats Program. The program allows city streets and parking lots to be used for outdoor dining. This all in an effort to support local restaurants that have capacity restrictions due to COVID-19.
The Plaza Neighborhood Association and Plaza Midwood Merchants Association partnered with the city to make this project possible. They transformed parking spots into street dining for businesses nearby.
Through an informal survey, the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association received positive feedback from the majority of respondents.
Visitors can scan a QR code on each picnic table to find out participating restaurants and access their menus. Some of them deliver to the outdoor dining areas.
Pizza Peel & Tap Room owner Will Bigham, who is on the board of the Plaza Midwood Merchants Association, helped develop Thomas Streatery.
He says his restaurant at this location was doing well before the pandemic, but now business is down 50 percent.
“The spring time is when we really get busy so it stinks it hit right then,” Bigham says.
Thomas Streatery will give him an opportunity to serve more customers while following the state’s capacity restrictions.
“We do have some outdoor seating here but with that being six feet apart and 50 percent, anytime we can get more seating out, I thought it would be a great idea. I think it’s a great idea to just bring community and people out in a safe distance,” Bigham says.
Thomas Streatery coordinator Renee Bradley, who is also the chair of Stroll and Roll Plaza Midwood, says the main goal is to support businesses through these tough times.
“One of the main ways we are helping is expanding seating capacity for the businesses nearby. Then we also have the idea just to create a vibrant energy and a walkable corridor in the middle of Plaza Midwood,” Bradley says.
Marshall Cromer, who visited Thomas Streatery on Tuesday evening with his girlfriend, likes the idea.
“I think it’s an innovative way to help Plaza Midwood restaurants get some extra business,” Cromer says.
Bradley says the space provides great use for parking spaces that are not being used as frequently during the pandemic.
“There are actually a lot of places to park around here. This is taking between 12 to 16 parking spots to make about 25 dining areas and we think the trade off is worth it,” Bradley says.
Bigham has already seen a positive turnout during the first week of the streatery.
“Depending on how much support and how nice the weather is, we will be able to make up some business,” Bigham says.
Thomas Streatery, which is open seven days a week, is expected to run through mid-to-late November.
The city of Charlotte anticipates there will be other locations participating in the StreetEats Program.
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September 28, 2020 at 03:36AM
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