NYC outdoor dining sheds shutter in droves amid new rules on storage, trees, fire hydrants: ‘It’s too costly’

NY Post ^ | 08/13/2024 | Nicole Rosenthal, Jack Morphet, Aneeta Bhole and Valentina Jaramillo

[ChicagoConservative27]

The blighted dining sheds that sprang up en masse during the COVID-19 pandemic could soon be a thing of the past due to strict new regulations — with thousands shuttering across the city as restaurant owners say they aren’t worth the cash and hassle.

Dubbed “Dining Out NYC,” the rules that went into effect Aug. 3 mandate restaurant owners to pay both a four-year $1,050 to $2,100 licensing fee and an annual fee based on the size of their sidewalk café — and shell out even more if their establishment is below 125th Street in Manhattan.

Eateries must also be able to store the sheds elsewhere from December to April (sidewalk dining will still be permitted year-round); avoid sheds encroaching on trees; maintain sheds at least 15 feet from fire hydrants and ensure ADA-compliant setups, among a bevy of other provisions.

“To be able to take it down, put it up, store it — unless you had a huge storefront, I don’t think it’s worth it,” said Maureen Donohue, owner of the 74-year-old Upper East Side mainstay Donohue’s Steakhouse, which tore its sheds down two weeks ago.

[ChicagoConservative27]

I was not a fan of those at all during covid.

[RayChuang88]

I actually prefer this change. This isn't Paris, where bistros were designed from the outset with outdoor dining in mind.

[T.B. Yoits]

The sheds should be bronzed to keep as monuments to the Scamdemic where you couldn't eat indoors due to the risk of infecting people with the world's deadliest disease ever but you could sit in an enclosed room at the curb and eat without fear of infecting people with the world's deadliest disease.

That and they should keep them in place as toilets for the homeless - in honor of the same s__t that went into requiring them that can now be celebrated oozing out of them.

[thefactor]

Good. These monstrosities should have all been demolished years ago.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

We had only a few "sheds" in our small town on the San Francisco Peninsula, but restaurants build a LOT of wooden platforms on the parking spots (with city blessing). They are still there. In fact, one was torn out last week and replaced with new lumber. They are very popular for outdoor dining. The few "sheds" were mainly tent-like structures with clear vinyl windows. Those are all gone now.

My son and I ate dinner downtown a week ago Monday night and we sat outdoors one street over from Main St. It was dead quiet on the street which was really nice. Only one car passed by every few minutes.

I can imagine the "sheds" in NYC must be an awful, chaotic mess, but the NYC "dining igloos" were even worse...

[ThePatriotsFlag]

They can do anything they want if they add “financial”. How about a law that says you must have a gun and take it to the range 4 times per year or lose your license that you must buy for $1000 a year every year. If you do not have this license the charge is $5000 for any year a license is not active.

[catnipman]

ya’ll just keep on voting for Democrats, ya’ hear!

[butlerweave]

Most of those Plexiglass shields around cashiers are gone ,well most, you can bet they did nothing ,LOL

[truthkeeper]

They put them up in our city's not-very-big main street and they gave off a distinct ghetto vibe. As a result Normies had no interest in going there to eat.

Good riddance.

[FamiliarFace]

I have a germaphobe family member that thought these were the bees knees when they were in NYC.

I have another germaphobe family member that just disinfected the whole home upon learning that another family member was recently sick with CoVid. Sprayed Lysol on every surface. Opened all the windows and brought in portable room air purifiers and fans. All for the common cold. Oh, and the sick family member is now testing negative, after just 3 days from his positive test.

I have far too many germaphobes in my family, but I can’t talk any sense into them at all.

[ChicagoConservative27]

Yikes

[ComputerGuy]

I don't go for al fresco dining as a rule, but taking my old convertible to the drive-in for a chili dog is still fun.

[dfwgator]

Any word from Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson?

[EVO X]

Most of those Plexiglass shields around cashiers are gone ,well most, you can bet they did nothing ,LOL

From what I've read, they were worse than doing nothing. They interfered with HVAC airflows..

[Tipllub]

I enjoy outdoor dining, but in a well designed/built and dedicated/private patio situation, not some makeshift pile of junk on a sidewalk or parking lot.

[ChicagoConservative27]

Amen

[LizzieD]

“Most of those Plexiglass shields around cashiers are gone”

I don’t usually shop at Kohl’s, but I was desperate one day...as I waited to check out, the cashier came around to the customer side with a spray bottle and paper towels and cleaned the “shield” between EACH customer. I told her that I wasn’t planning to lick the plexiglass, but she told me she was required to do it. So stupid.

[logi_cal869]

I’m obviously not a fan of big government or overreach, but correcting the mistake of allowing this trespass upon public property and impeding public sidewalks - to state nothing of taking of parking places - needs to be adopted in EVERY city.

You idiots had one job to do and you let these businesses run amok under cover of the covid hysteria.

It’s WAY past time to get back to normal.

[GSWarrior]

You know what else is littering the downtown streets of major cities? Newspaper vending machines.

[Vendome]

I at Donohue’s Steakhouse years ago.

Very old school decor and food.

Luv’d it.