LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Restaurants in Louisville are preparing to open their dining areas on May 22, and Mayor Greg Fischer will allow them to expand their outdoor seating. Fischer has proposed to expand seating to sidewalks and parking lots when they reopen.
All businesses planning to do so must apply for approval and show they will be able to follow all safety guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Metro Council still has to give their seal of approval.
"We want to help these restaurants get open and people back to work. That's the priority," Mayor Fischer said. "We know that the virus does not travel outdoors like it does indoors, so this provides an opportunity for restaurants to increase their volume."
In the center of the Highlands, Dundee Tavern owner Alan Hincks is way ahead of the game.
"The outside, is obviously going to be the first place that people will go to," Hincks said.
For months Hincks has been planning to put a tent down in his parking lot to allow for more outdoor seating options, and now it's finally here.
"Our tent we got from rent & rave and it is a 20 by 60 tent," Hincks said. "We're going to have the tables out there, we're going to decorate it, we're going to light it up. Now with the CDC guidelines me doing my measurements out there, I'm looking at about 50 to 60 people."
To turn your lot into one like Alan's, you still must apply through the city, but you won't have to pay. He is proposing to waive the different types of application fees.
Hincks says that's a big deal, because so many local spots, aren't profiting during this pandemic.
"I'm not making any money, however we have not laid off anybody in the restaurant," said David Hilsenrad, the co-owner of the Fish House.
Hilsenrad is thrilled to reopen their doors in less than two weeks.
"It means a great deal, even though it's limited seating, it means a great deal to have our customers," Hilsenrad said.
His loyal diners are still carrying out frequently, but their outdoor tables are waiting to welcome them back. If the time comes, he says parking spots will turn into tables.
"Depending upon the weather and what's happening outside, we are ready," Hilsenrad said.
Ready to adapt and take advantage of any extra space they can find.
A similar measure was announced on May 11 by the mayor of Jeffersontown.
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