Two Montgomery restaurants are looking for special use ordinances related to the outdoor dining areas they have established during the pandemic.
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When Grandma’s Table at 1700 Douglas Road and Poor Boy’s Pub at 283 Montgomery Road reopened this spring only outdoor dining was allowed due to restrictions to fight COVID-19. Village officials told the owners if there was space available for them to use outside their restaurants, they could use it to help with business during the pandemic.
Pete Metrou, owner of Grandma’s Table, said he put tables outside his establishment in the parking lot and put a tent up to protect diners from the weather. Now, the owner says he has constructed an awning outside, and has 10 tables there and can seat some 75 diners.
“I’m still down (customers due to the pandemic), but in the beginning, it was 85%. The outside dining has helped,” he said.
The proposed expanded outdoor dining at the restaurant would be located on the north side of the building, adding onto the existing outdoor dining on the east side.
John Vlahos with Poor Boy’s Pub said he has placed tables in front of his establishment and can safely have 30 people dine outside. His facility has also brought in a new awning and has a four-foot railing around the outdoor eating area.
The restaurant is requesting approval of a special use for a permanent outdoor cafe located in the front of the pub. Currently, Poor Boys Pub has a temporary outdoor dining permit through the village’s plan to help restaurants during the pandemic.
Members of the Montgomery Planning Commission unanimously approved both special use requests at their recent meeting, sending the ordinances to the Village Board meeting on Monday.
Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.