City of Cambridge to allow temporary outdoor dining expansion

CAMBRIDGE, Md. – This week, the Cambridge City Council voted to pass an ordinance allowing downtown restaurants to expand their outdoor seating.

“Right now, the restaurants need it because without indoor dining they’ve got to have spaces outdoor to be able to expand,” said Bill Christopher, president of the Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce.

According to city officials, restaurants can submit a request to expand outdoor seating and from there the city manager can issue a permit allowing them to do so without having to go to city council first.

“The actual ordinance itself now gives the city manager the option to actually make other things happen faster, so we don’t actually have to back to council,” said Christopher.

“So, being able to turn parking spaces into outdoor seating, being able to let restaurants expand into the outdoor,” said Christopher.

Ava’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar on Poplar Street says although this change was much needed they’ll now face some new challenges.

“You have weather, you have the actual street and road,” said Chris Agharabi, owner of Ava’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar.

“You know we’re not used to actually serving on the street and road or whatever it’s going to be, parking spots,” said Agharabi.

Overall though, restaurants we spoke with say while they’re grateful the city is helping them with outdoor seating they want to be able to safely reopen their indoor dining spaces and soon.

According to Christopher, restaurants will be allowed to expand outdoor seating Thursdays from 3 PM until 10 PM and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 AM until 10 PM.