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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — It's the last day to eat outdoors in the North End. The season was extended through September 30 after a originally being slated to end September 5. Tables have been lining the streets and alleys of the North End since May 1.
"I hope we continue," Adrian, the owner of Caffe Paradiso, told WBZ-TV. "They love the outdoors." Another restaurant owner told the station that he gained 20% more seats with the program.
The season started off in controversy, with a group of North End restaurant owners protesting the additional $7500 fee charged for outdoor dining in that neighborhood. The city justified the fee as covering the additional costs it has to pay to support outdoor dining in the crowded neighborhood.
The city says it has had to pay at least $714,000 to cover the program as of mid-summer, while taking in about $300,000 from the restaurants enrolled in the program.
The rest of the city's outdoor dining will end later in the season, in December.
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