Restaurant Outdoor Furniture: From Start To Finish

When I'm looking for a place to eat or just grab a coffee in the summer, I rarely want to sit inside. Sure on the really hot days I appreciate a chilled A/C and a comfy restaurant chair, but most of the time I'll pass on a place that doesn't offer a spot to sit outside. Whether you call it a patio, terrace, garden or backyard, outdoor seating is important --especially in the often chilly Northeast where we don't get to enjoy the pleasure of sitting outside very often! Here's a breakdown of some of the steps a restaurant needs to go through to get a patio:

Establish a plan. How big is the patio going to be, where is it going to be placed? And how many more matching restaurant chairs are you going to need in order to set the place up? These are the basics that you'll need before you can report to the city with your plans.

Get permits and figure out restrictions. This could throw a substantial wrench in your plans. Really if you want your patio to be successful, you'll need to explore the local bylaws for patios in tandem when establishing your basic plans. Some cities have a limit on size, alcohol on patios and hours of patios. Some cities even require a full inspection of the premises and the patio; this would require the business owner to actually set the space up without even having a guarantee that the area can be used! The best tactic would be to consult with a fellow restaurateur before you place an order for more restaurant furniture.

Even if you get the necessary permits, it's best to consult with locals and fellow tenants before establishing yourself outdoors. If, say, your upstairs neighbors don't want to listen to your patrons yak into the night for an entire summer, you may have problems. Remember that just because you have a permit doesn't mean you're allowed to wantonly disturb the peace.

Design it! This is probably the most fun and rewarding part (apart from seeing profit from the extra chairs!). Here you get to use your creativity and skill to make the outdoor dining space you've been waiting for. Seating ought to be a first priority. Picnic tables? Restaurant chairs? Benches? It's up to you; reward yourself and order from a commercial furniture vendor. It'll reduce the hassle of sourcing furniture and will get your project up and running much faster.

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