BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Getting people to patronize local restaurants safely is an important part of Buffalo's rebound. Restaurants on Chippewa are celebrating a successful first weekend of expanded outdoor dining.
"So far it's been great. Seems to be the new hot spot, we are getting a lot of reservations right now," said Chris Ring, owner of Rec Room.
They made early morning preparations, put out extra tables and prepared for the brunch rush. A group of girlfriends got together for brunch at Rec Room, excited for an opportunity to return to normalcy.
"It's nice because it gives everyone the opportunity to go places like rec room that usually you'd go to for drinks and stuff and now you can go eat there. We missed it, being able to hang out and go do things," said Taylor Plowe.
The street is closed from Delaware to Franklin, but Ring hopes they can get that extended. The street closure will last through Labor Day Weekend, but he hopes that will be extended as well.
"We're petitioning to have that extended through October first because we are seeing a lot of action coming down here. The longer we can actually sustain this, obviously the better for the restaurants," said Ring.
Rec Room is serving Asian style food all week, with live music on weekends. They're excited to welcome guests back throughout the summer.
"It's just business we never would have had if we didn't have the opportunity to have an outdoor dining concept. We're off to the great start we were hoping for and I just think it's going to pick up more and more steam as the summer goes on," said Ring.
