Summit Outdoor Dining Begins Monday: Rules And Restaurants Here

Caren Lissner
·4 min read

SUMMIT, NJ — Now that the state of New Jersey has allowed outdoor dining starting Monday, with restrictions (see below), the Summit Common Council voted Tuesday to approve six resolutions to help reopen local businesses, particularly restaurants. The state already allows restaurants to provide curbside pickup and delivery.

Summit's new rules apply to liquor licenses, permits, and more.

Last week, several local restaurateurs said they were excited to start serving outdoors again, a practice that has been restricted since March.

Among those who emailed to let us know they'll be serving outdoors:

  • The Office Tavern Grill, 61 Union Place

  • Piattino, 67 Union Place

  • La Focaccia, 523 Morris Ave.

All restaurants encouraged patrons to call for reservations, as seating is limited. Watch for more as we expand our list!

Among the new rules passed in Summit:

  • Retailers and eateries can apply to expand onto the sidewalk, and the city and Summit Downtown Inc. will place tables and chairs for outdoor seating in the Bank Street lot, Promenade Park, and Lyric Park.

  • To expand outdoor seating, restaurants may apply to use adjacent sidewalk space if the property owner agrees. Restaurants may also apply to use their parking lots for outdoor dining or request placement of a parklet by the city in the parking spaces directly in front of their location.

  • Due to changes in the alcohol board rules, restaurants can expand liquor licenses to include outdoor dining areas.

  • The Bank Street parking lot will be closed to vehicle parking.

“Common Council, city staff and I worked closely with Summit Downtown Inc. and more than 30 local business owners to understand the needs of retail and fitness businesses and restaurants,” said Summit Mayor Nora Radest last week.

Recently, the state of New Jersey said it would allow restaurants to reopen, as long as they follow certain guidelines.

Below are some requirements for businesses to incorporate who are opening for outdoor dining on June 15, as stated in Gov. Phil Murphy’s outdoor dining executive order:

  • Post signage at the entrance that states that no one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 should enter the food or beverage establishment

  • Limit seating to a maximum of eight customers per table and arrange seating to achieve a minimum distance of 6 feet between parties

  • Rope off or otherwise mark tables, chairs and bar stools that are not to be used

  • Demarcate 6 feet of spacing in patron waiting areas

  • Provide physical guides, such as tape on floors, sidewalks, and signage on walls to ensure that customers remain at least 6 feet apart in line for the restroom or waiting for seating

  • Eliminate self-service food or drink options such as buffets, salad bars, and self-service drink stations

  • Disinfect all tables, chairs and any other shared items (menus, condiments, pens) after each use

  • Install physical barriers and partitions at cash registers, bars, host stands and other area where maintaining physical distance of 6 feet is difficult

  • Ensure 6 feet of physical distancing between workers and customers, except at the moment of payment and/or when employees are servicing the table

  • Require infection control practices, such as regular handwashing, coughing and sneezing etiquette, and proper tissue usage and disposal

  • Require frequent sanitization of high-touch areas like credit card machines, keypads, and counters to which the public and workers have access

  • Place conspicuous signage at entrance alerting staff and customers to the required 6 ft of physical distance

  • Require all food or beverage establishments to have an inclement weather policy that, if triggered, would require the food or beverage establishment 2 to adhere to Executive Order No. 125 (2020) and offer takeout or delivery service only

Additionally, according to the state:

  • Businesses should conduct daily health screenings for employees (such as temperature screenings and/or symptom checking), and provide and require employees to wear face masks.

  • All customers must bring and wear face masks when going to a business to wear if going inside the business or using the restroom.

  • The state also recommends that businesses and customers utilize reservations as much as possible to limit overcrowding at restaurants.

Got a news tip? Email caren.lissner@patch.com. To keep up with breaking news in your town and statewide when it happens, and get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts and daily newsletters.

This article originally appeared on the Summit Patch