Concord Restaurants are Ready for Outdoor Dining

Capital City eateries are excited for another season of outdoor dining, which typically runs from April 15 through November 15. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Concord City Council approved a temporary outdoor dining policy, providing restaurant patrons with more options for dining in Concord. In 2022, this initiative became permanent, allowing restaurants in the downtown area—with a special permit—to use public sidewalks, squares, and parking spaces in front of their businesses to accommodate customers’ tables and chairs. Other restaurants will be utilizing their already established outdoor seating areas. 

“We’re really excited about outdoor dining,” said Jessica Martin, Executive Director of Intown Concord, when the program was established. “A lot of people may not feel safe dining indoors so this gives our restaurants another opportunity to generate some revenue and provide customers with great food and service.”

“We are chomping at the bit for outdoor dining,” said Scott Hoffner, of Vibes Gourmet Burgers on Main Street. “I think everybody has been cooped up in the house for too long now for winter. We’re all looking forward to being able to sit along the sidewalk and enjoy a burger and a beer and watch life pass us by in the most pleasant way possible.”

In 2020, outdoor dining became an important aspect of the downtown Concord economy, giving local restaurants an opportunity to generate revenue safely during the pandemic, while also bringing unexpected positive change.

“Outdoor dining has made the downtown so vibrant,” said Martin. “It’s a really fun and lively atmosphere and everyone is really looking forward to that.”