WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) -An idea to allow more space for residents to sit outside their favorite restaurants is being discussed by local business owners and a nonprofit.
Wilmington Downtown Incorporated (WDI) met with business owners on Wednesday evening to discuss the concept.
Most of the current outdoor dining options around the district are limited to the sidewalk. Some businesses are able to put a table or two out, but there is no room for more than that.
WID’s plan would expand outdoor seating by closing off blocks or on street parking. The expansion would be on North and South Front Street and would be on select weekends.
Organizers say this could be an innovative way that gives customers another seating option while helping brick-and-mortars out.
“We are trying to elevate people’s perspective on what downtown really is, we have a lot of wonderful businesses in our community that have been here for many years,” Christina Haley, President and CEO of WDI, said.
Chap Wallace, owner of Port City Cheesesteak has been in the Downtown area for years and hasn’t seen anything like this.
“I’ve been here for going on 25 years, and I’ll say for downtown it’s very unique. It’s not like a festival, this would be just to promote brick and mortars downtown, you’re not bringing outside vendors or anything like that so this would be to highlight and showcase the phenomenal spots down here,” Wallace said.
Other business owners raised concerns that if implemented, residents would have to walk several blocks to parked cars or get an Uber in the area.
“If you’re talking about keeping those streets closed overnight good luck getting an Uber, good luck not walking two or three blocks to your short-term rental,” said Eli Ellsworth, owner of Barbary Coast.
Haley says this problem isn’t different than any other time.
“Any Downtown area you’re going to have to navigate parking and finding your Uber rides, whether it be with this particular initiative or with an art festival, or Azaelea festival or Riverfest,” said Haley.
Elisworth believes this idea would impact business on the outskirt of Front Street negatively.
“Barbary Coast, excuse pardon my French, eats s***. They use our parking spots as a parking lot. We get no action,” said Ellsworth.
Business owners that aren’t on Front Street are weighing in on the conversation as well.
“Overall, I think there is much to discuss before we can get to an answer whether we should move forward or not,” said Jason Henderson, co-owner of Tarantelli’s. “As a business that is outside the planned area whatever the option they move forward with, closures on the street or parklets, I wanted to be here to let them know those of us outside of the district we feel it every time it happens. That’s something the need to consider.”
Haley says they would need to do a test run to see how to adjust it to help all businesses.
“We can truly see how something like this impacts the community with a pilot model,” said Haley.
WDI says they are still working out logistics and are still only one step towards the initiative. The group plans to use business and community feedback to critique the idea before bringing the proposal before the Wilmington City Council.
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