The Evolution of the Restaurant Parklet

Ethan Watters | July 10, 2024

Outdoor eating spaces opened during the Covid pandemic saved many restaurants and changed the urban landscape. What’s next for this trend?

For insight into long-lasting changes in the restaurant industry brought on by responses to the Covid pandemic, Hormel Foods asked journalist Ethan Watters to delve into the outdoor dining trend. References to specific companies, stores or products do not indicate endorsement of them.

It began as an emergency measure to save the restaurant industry. With Covid lockdowns and restrictions on indoor dining, many restaurants faced challenges and the possibility of laying off staff and closing their doors permanently. As a lifeline to this crucial industry, city officials in many metropolitan areas relaxed building restrictions and allowed outdoor seating. These “parklets” or “streateries,” as they were named, suddenly transformed the streetscape and character of many cities. In a dark and difficult time, with many feeling alone and isolated, outdoor dining brought new life to neighborhoods.

At the beginning, many parklets were put up quickly, sometimes using little more than packing crates, plexiglass and scrap lumber. The results were functional but often looked like they were constructed by an untrained handyman. The waivers allowing outdoor seating areas were originally meant to be temporary, so there was little incentive to invest in modern designs or sophisticated construction.

New York City during the early days of the restaurant parklet. These were simple and thought of as temporary, only needing to last weeks.

Nevertheless, some restaurant owners took the opportunity and ran with it. Allotted just a hundred square feet of outdoor real estate — no more than one or two parking spaces — restaurateurs went all out with innovative design solutions to maximize the functionality and aesthetics of these spaces. They installed heat lamps and lighting and created distinctive visual aesthetics that matched the ambiance of the restaurant. Suddenly, these outdoor spaces were inviting and added to the character of city streets.

Parklets “developed into one of the few bright spots in the pandemic,” said Polly Trottenberg, city transportation commissioner for New York City. “It’s a creative new vision of public space.”

Now, with the pandemic largely in the rearview mirror and the timeline of the temporary programs running out, cities across the country are at a decision point about whether to reclaim those parking spaces for cars. Studies and public surveys have been funded and public meetings held. One thing is clear: allowing these outdoor dining areas had a positive economic impact. A study in Philadelphia found that businesses with well-placed parklets reported up to a 20% increase in revenues. In Los Angeles, the Al Fresco program preserved the viability of over 80% of participating businesses.

Researchers found that outdoor seating increased foot traffic, benefiting nearby shops and services.

Overall, according to one city planner, the spaces increased social interactions and fostered a sense of community and local engagement. Surveys have also shown the general public is interested in saving the parklets. In response, city councils and planners from Los Angeles to Boston and from Dallas to Cincinnati are making plans to make the stopgap measure permanent.

Not everyone has been a fan of the parklets. Some local residents have complained about increased street noise. And where restaurant seating has infringed on the sidewalk, there have been concerns about disability access. The tradeoffs for how public space is used are never easy, particularly in dense urban environments.

Having helped save the restaurant industry, parklets appear to have a long-term future. However, the Wild West days of blocking off an area with traffic cones or makeshift plywood walls are over. Where cities are allowing parklets to remain, restaurateurs will face new restrictions and requirements. Some cities are now charging restaurants for every square foot of street or sidewalk they occupy. Many owners are faced with the dilemma of paying the extra costs or losing their investment and extra seating.

Fully realized parklets reminiscent of permanent structures, popularized by COVID-era outdoor dining.
Fully realized parklets reminiscent of permanent structures, popularized by COVID-era outdoor dining.
Fully realized parklets reminiscent of permanent structures, popularized by COVID-era outdoor dining.

Already, restaurateurs are taking advantage of the opportunity to create semi-permanent spaces with a flood of innovation and eye-catching designs. Some are hiring architectural firms to create structures that reflect the character of the restaurant. These remarkable new dining environments will be a reminder to us all that necessity is truly the mother of invention.

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