BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — It’s going to be a bit longer before you can wine and dine in Boston’s North End.
The Boston Licensing Board said because of the neighborhood’s high density and impact to the community, customers will not be able to dine outdoors until April 1.
News of the delay comes after Mayor Marty Walsh announced last week that the city was moving the timeline up for the Boston outdoor dining season to March 22.
Ben, who lives in the North End, said he has mixed feelings about the delay.
"It's both good and bad -- it's hard for the restaurant owners and I wish it could come back sooner but ultimately we have to do the right thing," he said. "My hope is that the weather gets warmer -- they can reopen outdoor dining sooner -- and they can take some of the parking on Salem and Hanover Streets and that way they can get some of that capacity back."
For the rest of Boston, outdoor dining is still expected to start up again on March 22.
Michael Don of Bova's Bakery on Salem Street said when it comes to outdoor dining, the season cannot come soon enough.
"Everybody needs to pay bills -- some people, they have a restaurant to run, they have kids to feed -- family to feed, so you know, they need the business," he said.
The outdoor season is expected to run until December, weather permitting.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) reports.
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Written by Rachel Armany
(Photo: Getty Images)