Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

April 9, 2021

New Haven celebrates launch of 2021 outdoor dining initiative

PHOTO | PIXABAY.COM
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

With warmer weather finally upon us, New Haven is hoping more hungry diners will come to enjoy a restaurant meal while sitting outside.

On Friday morning, Mayor Justin Elicker joined with other city officials and business leaders at the corner of Orange and Center streets to launch the New Haven Eats Outdoors 2021 initiative and Small Business Support Program. 

Economic Development Administrator Michael Piscitelli said grant funding allowed for the expansion of outdoor dining in the city. 

While the pandemic prompted many restaurants to begin offering outdoor dining to attract diners, the change has proven to be popular. According to Piscitelli, restaurant patrons enjoy the ambience that comes with eating outside.

For a second year, subsidiaries of Orange-based utility Avangrid provided a $20,000 grant, matched by a second grant from the city, for the effort. The money is being used for outdoor dining equipment to promote a safe and pleasant experience for diners and shoppers around the city.

In the fall, the city expanded its outdoor space by creating promenades.

New Haven has always been known for its “great food and entertainment,” said Frank Reynolds, president of UIL Holdings Corp., which includes Avangrid subsidiaries such as United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas.

“We recognize businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic,” Reynolds said. “Our hope is to help businesses survive the pandemic and be able to thrive afterward.”

The support program assists small businesses around the city, and includes leasehold improvement and outdoor experience programs, and façade improvement grant programs. 

The programs were created because of the pandemic and its negative impact on businesses. The effort is a collaboration between the city, Town Green District, Avangrid, the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven, New Haven Innovation Collaborative, Market New Haven, and small business and property owners. 

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF