Outdoor Seating Set To Open At Winnetka, Northfield Restaurants

Jonah Meadows
Updated ·4 min read

WINNETKA, IL — For the first time in months, some local restaurants will be able to offer in-person dining this weekend, as Gov. J.B. Pritzker Friday is expected to move Illinois into the next phase of his Restore Illinois reopening plan.

Restaurant owners and village staff say they have been working as rapidly as possible over the past week to prepare for possible outdoor dining since Pritzker announced changes to what he will permit to open during Phase 3 of the plan.

David Schoon, community development director for the village of Winnetka, said more than a dozen restaurants have already been granted permits for outdoor seating on public sidewalks once the governor allows it. The village issued applications in mid-March and approved them last month.

"Our goal with those new temporary outdoor seating areas is to help them get through this time, while still providing social distancing to help minimize the potential spread of the coronavirus," Schoon told Patch.

Restaurants do not need special seasonal outdoor seating permits in Winnetka for seats on private property. Rooftops, patios and areas with removable walls qualify as outdoor dining areas under the guidelines released by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

"You can start on Friday, but that doesn't mean everybody is going to be ready on Friday," he said. "So we're doing our best to assist them, and they're doing what they can to get up and running."

More: Restore Illinois Phase 3 Business Guidelines Released

WINNETKA-NORTHFIELD

The following Winnetka and Northfield restaurants are among those hoping to open outdoor seating if Phase 3 begins as anticipated on May 29, according to Terry Dason, executive director of the Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce:

  • Fred's Garage, 574 Green Bay Road

  • Grateful Bites, 899 Green Bay Road

  • Little Ricky's, 540 Lincoln Ave

  • Mino's Italian, 985 Green Bay Road

  • Tocco, 507 Chestnut St.

  • Spirit Elephant, 924 Green Bay Road

  • Stacked and Folded, 551 Lincoln Ave.

In Northfield the following establishments anticipate opening outdoor seating as Phase 3 begins:

  • Happ Inn Bar and Grill, 305 N. Happ Road

  • Northfield Restaurant, 391 Central Ave.

  • Stormy's Tavern and Grille, 1735 Orchard Lane

  • Taco Nano, 1743 Orchard Lane

  • Tapas Gitana, 310 N. Happ Road

In Northfield, U Dawg U and North Shore Pizza are working to expand seating in the parking lot, Dason said. In Winnetka, Kyoto Sushi Plus and George Trois, Aboyer and Silencieux are still preparing their reopening plans as of Wednesday afternoon.

(Know of another restaurant offering outdoor seating in Winnetka or Northfield? Email us at Winnetka@patch.com for it to be added.)

GLENCOE

Restaurants in Glencoe will have to wait a bit longer. Businesses in the village must apply for outdoor seating permits every year, and because of the pandemic, the village did not open the season.

As a result, no Glencoe restaurants will be allowed to have outdoor seating until the village opens the season and staff review applications to make sure the plans comply with safety guidelines, according to Deputy Village Clerk Jordan Lester.

"We are working as quickly as possible, however, to expedite the development of new outdoor seating requirements and support our businesses," Lester told Patch in an email.

Village Manager Phil Kiraly said the village staff have partnered with local restaurants to rapidly develop a new outdoor seating plan.

"Our core goals with this effort are to support our entire business community (not just our restaurants) and create safe environments for our residents to dine out under the guidelines set by the State," Kiraly said in a blog post. "While some communities like Arlington Heights and Hinsdale are shutting down streets throughout the summer, that may not work for us in Glencoe for many reasons; for example, we don’t want to negatively impact some Glencoe businesses while trying to help others in downtown Glencoe. "

At the May 21 village board meeting, trustees discussed proposals to close all or part of Vernon Avenue between Park and Hazel avenues on weekend evenings to allow expanded seating for restaurants like Guildhall and Valor, potentially set up outdoor tables in the Village Court parking lot or to use portions of Tudor Court for dining or events once complete.

Village Trustee Peter Mulvaney supported shutting down Vernon Avenue on weekend nights.

"I think we need to be willing to experiment, pilot — whatever you want to call it," Trustee Peter Mulvaney said. "But be willing to fail and try some things and adjust and that's OK."

This article originally appeared on the Winnetka-Glencoe Patch