In case you missed it, we spent last Friday outside C&B Cafe on East 7th Street, operating a technically illegal curbside cafe. Technically illegal because New York City’s current curbside dining law requires that those spots revert to parking from December to March. We got some great coverage and have launched a campaign to fix the issues once and for all. We had a chat with our co-executive director Sara Lind for more on why we care about curbside dining.
Sara, tell us what it was like to set up this guerilla cafe.
So fun! As soon as the tables and chairs were set up, people immediately started using them. One of my favorite moments of the day was when a long-time customer came by and said “We are so back baby!” It’s clear how much people love outdoor dining. We did the pop-up on our own to make sure the restaurant didn’t get in any trouble, but once it was up they loved it, which was nice to see. Throughout the day we saw people playing backgammon, a very good dog showing off and getting lots of attention, long-time customers re-connecting, and so much more.
How worried were you about getting in hot water, from the City or an angry driver, for commandeering a curb spot?
We were a bit worried, which is always the case with tactical urbanism. We knew it was possible that the city might come and demand we take it down or give us a ticket. But we were most worried about drivers! Parking rage is real and can even sometimes be legitimately dangerous. We claimed a parking space with orange cones as soon as it was available, but then had to wait a bit to get the tables set up. In that in-between time we certainly got some looks from drivers wanting the spot. To make it look more official we wore yellow safety vests - that usually does the trick.
Sneaky! So Open Plans has been focused on outdoor dining for a while now. We advocated for City Council to pass a permanent bill and warned, at that time, about the dangers of a seasonal program; we’re deep in the issue. But how many average New Yorkers do you think actually understand what’s happening with curbside dining and how endangered it is?
I think the average New Yorker has certainly noticed the lack of outdoor dining, especially any time there’s a warm day. But I don’t think most people understand just how diminished the new program is going to be when it restarts April 1. People might be expecting to see their favorite local spots reopen in the spring and I think many people are going to be disappointed. We hope people will channel that disappointment into calling their local councilmembers and demanding that the City Council fix the program.
Streetery, curbside cafe, shack, shed? What’s your preferred nomenclature for these setups? Do you think the terminology matters?
I like streetery! Words definitely matter, and opponents of the program used that to paint a negative picture of the program by using words like shack and shed. Look, in the pandemic era program there were certainly some restaurants that let their streeteries fall into disrepair, nobody denies that. But so many restaurants built beautiful structures that reflected their unique personality and culture. These were vibrant additions to the streetscape and neighborhood, adding beauty and color to what is often otherwise a gray street focused exclusively on cars. That's no shack.
Yeah those unique spaces felt like an expression of New York's energy and style.
Totally. But a setup that creative is also hard to take down and put up every year. As the new program starts we hope that restaurants are able to express themselves within the new design standards, but we’d love to see a bit more flexibility. And ideally we can get back a year-round program that lets restaurants invest in great structures that can just stick around.
In 2023, Eric Adams said he supported this program because it gave passers-by a chance to slip their phone number to attractive diners. Without condoning bothering perfect strangers in pursuit of a hot date, what are other benefits to our culture that you think outdoor dining provides?
There were so many times I was sitting at a streetery or walking by one and ran into someone I knew. That kind of random interaction builds neighborliness and community and it’s priceless. Plus, eating outside is just fun! Americans go to European cities and marvel at their outdoor cafes but so often can’t see that we could have that here too if we’re willing to reclaim space for people.
New Yorkers, stop denying yourselves nice things! Check out our vision for a better curbside dining program and if you donate today to our effort to make it a reality, your donate will be matched dollar for dollar.
