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York City to close major roadway to give restaurants more outdoor dining space

Logan Hullinger
York Dispatch

Four restaurants in York City will soon be able to use a closed portion of North George Street on weekends to expand their outdoor dining settings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diners eat outdoors at restaurants in the 100 block of North George Street Wednesday, July 1, 2020. Restaurants in that area will expand outdoor dining as the block will close every Friday evening and again on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from July 10 to Sept. 7. The move aims to boost business for restaurants that have taken a financial hit during the pandemic. Bill Kalina photo

The 100 block of North George Street will close every Friday evening and again on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from July 10 to Sept. 7. The move aims to bring more business to restaurants that have taken a financial hit during the pandemic, Downtown York announced Tuesday in a news release.

The Handsome Cab, Rockfish Public House, Tutoni's and The Left Bank will all utilize the street space. They will soon post their hours of operation to their respective websites, the release states.

Melinda Brinton, left, dines with her friend Stephanie Housman, both of Dover Township, at The Handsom Cab Wednesday, July 1, 2020. Restaurants in that area will expand outdoor dining as the 100 block of North George Street will close every Friday evening and again on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from July 10 to Sept. 7. The move aims to boost business for restaurants that have taken a financial hit during the pandemic. Bill Kalina photo

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"Pedestrian safety and minimal traffic disruptions have been prioritized with this street closure," said Mandy Arnold, owner of The Left Bank. "The restaurants of Restaurant Row are anxious to safely serve their customers in an environment where everyone feels comfortable."

Lead bartender Emily Crockett checks on Kristen Evans' lunch with coworkers during lunch at Revival Social Club at Revival Social Club which offers outdoor dining Wednesday, July 1, 2020. Bars a block north on George Street will be able to expand outdoor dining areas, as the 100 block of North George Street willÊcloseÊevery Friday evening and again onÊSaturday and Sunday afternoons from July 10 to Sept.Ê7. The moveÊaims to boost business for restaurants thatÊhave taken a financial hit during the pandemic. Bill Kalina photo

All restaurants but Tutoni's will offer their traditional menus. Tutoni's has opted to offer a limited pasta menu and its mobile bar on Fridays and Saturdays.

The portion of North George Street will be closed during the following times: 

  • Friday: From 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
  • Saturday: From 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.
  • Sunday: From 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. 

On-street parking will be prohibited beginning at 1 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday to allow for restaurants to set up their outdoor seating.

Sidewalks will  remain open, and restaurants will still offer curbside pickup.

As of Sunday, the county has seen 1,609 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 since the outbreak began, according to the state health department. No new deaths were recorded in the county, leaving the total at 54.

— Logan Hullinger can be reached at lhullinger@yorkdispatch.com or via Twitter at @LoganHullYD.