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Three years ago The Oakland Journal reported on Oakland’s reluctance to allow outdoor dining.
As businesses in Wyckoff begin taking advantage of their new ordinance that allows out door dining, The Journal decided to re-visit the subject originally covered in August 2008.
Outdoor dining has always been a benefit for business because it shows customers enjoying their establishment. It is also a benefit to patrons for a variety of reasons: some people believe food just tastes better eating al fresco; others believe it makes a family outing more exciting; and, for others more romantic. But all the reasons seem to add up to more fun.
On the anniversary month of the original articles published in August 2008, and in October 2008, The Journal decided to imagine what outdoor seating could do to help the small business owners and add to the quality of life for Oakland residents.
August 15, 2008, For small businesses, the option of providing some additional seating outside can have significant impact on their profit margins. They can extend what may be a limited capacity inside, and also implement an attractive outside adornment that draws additional customers. Oakland does not permit this, and therefore it is prohibited. The Town Council will be seeking to introduce an ordinance to permit outdoor seating for the new multi-million dollar restaurant which recently opened and for the StarBucks planned in the Eden development.
August 28th 2008,Mr. McCormick felt if the ordinance had been written months ago, when he first raised the issue, many small businesses could have benefited from the summer weather. The Council has been considering the issue for years, but according to Council member Pignatelli it may be a few more years before any other business will be allowed the same opportunities afforded Portobello.
October 2008, The Mayor dashed hopes for minimal improvements to the downtown area by discounting arguments made by candidates Pat Tirri and David Skoblar who’s campaign has included a beautification effort. The Mayor placed a greater emphasis on seeking developers who can offer more significant improvements with large scale projects. The question of outdoor tables raised during a debate between all the candidates appeared to be squashed as the lack of sewers makes it unfeasible.
The following images are of local businesses and how they would look should outdoor seating be allowed. Click on the image to see how one of your favorite Oakland eateries might look with outdoor seating.
Juniors Pizza, Deli, and Sushi
Oakland Pizza
Hansils Bar & Grill
Dairy Queen & Texas Weiners
Krauser's Future
Krauser's Today
Reader Suggestion
A faithful reader of The Oakland journal, a long time Oakland resident, and a WWII vet, suggested that extending the flag mural idea throughout Oakland would be a wake up call to support our country through these difficult times. The following images of Oakland locations are in response to that suggestion.
Oakland Liquor
Oakland Drugs
TV Doctor
Like all things with this administration – no improvements and no growth. Oakland is a town stuck in neutral and the current administration can’t seem to find the gear shifter.
How about Saturday work parties for the Krauzers before it ends up looking like the old quickie mart looks now (the stream house)? What a difference it would make if that corner looked like the picture.
This article has VISION. Oakand has been lacking any vision. Great job as always!
um…. not entirely sure but isn’t the outside of a building the responsiblity of the landlord, not the town? How is the town responsible for Krausers looking the way it does? Is there an ordinance that says that outsides of buildings have to look a certain way?
And while outside dining would be nice, the sidewalks are not very wide – why would I want to sit next to a car and smell the exhaust?
Proof of the desire for outdoor dining can be seen at Starbucks. Some times all the tables are full. In the strip mall with Juniors, the landlord could box in four or five parking spaces with decorative planters to create a seating area that could be shared by all the food places on that strip. This would leave the sidewalk clear and create some privacy. Just a thought. Also, the master redevelopment plan had a vision of outside dining on the Staples exterior wall. Naturally the landlord would have to move Staples to an inside space. The restaurant on the end would have plenty or side yard to make a large outdoor eating area.
I have seen towns in Westchester County economically, socially and culturally transformed by outdoor dining. It brings positive street life activity, especially in the evenings, a greater sense of community and a higher quality of life. Oakland essentially has no street life. Great article!
I don’t think our zoning ordinance prohibits outdoor dining. Parking can become an issue for restaurants that propose outdoor tables because the number of spaces required is related to the number of seats in the establishment. Restaurants may not have extra parking to support outdoor tables. Starbucks has the parking spaces and I think the outdoor tables are a nice addition.
Editor’s note: We were told by the Mayor and Council that if outdoor dining is not expressly permitted by law in Oakland it is prohibited. There is not a law at this time permitting outdoor dining.
The outdoor dining would be nice, provided the town planted/replaced the oak trees for shade to sit under…As to the idea of painted American flags on the store sides, personally, I feel it would be a distraction to what little original character is left in downtown Oakland. The hanging of the American flag from the traditional poles would seem to be more in keeping with the quaint village atmosphere. You’ve “paved paradise, and put up a parking lot”, for goodness sake, please don’t ruin anything else.