Typically, December wouldn’t fare well for outdoor dining in Summit County, but the unseasonably warm weather has made it possible for several restaurants and bars with food service.
Indoor dining is closed in counties under level red restrictions, including Summit, but the state gave restaurants the option to stay open for outdoor dining in addition to takeout and delivery.
Columbine Cafe has put tables in its courtyard, where customers can sit and eat. Owner Robert Simonton explained that while there isn’t service to the tables, the cafe is still doing takeout. So a customer can order food to go, and then eat it outside.
Rising Sun Distillery owner Dawn Richardson said having no capacity indoors has been difficult but that outdoor dining is the only thing moving her business along aside from a small amount of to-go orders. She said outdoor seating has been a tough sell because it’s December and it gets especially chilly after the sun goes down.
To make things more comfortable and cozy for people, the distillery has put a windscreen around the patio, placed a fire pit in the outdoor seating area and is bringing in more fire pits and heaters this week. If the fire pits become popular, Richardson said she’ll order more.
