“Buffalo restaurants and retailers have been through tremendous hardship over the past few months, and I’m all in for finding creative ways to give diners a safe and social distancing environment outside …,” said Brown. “We have supported our small businesses throughout the pandemic and will continue to provide health guidance to help keep their employees and customers safe.”

Chippewa Open Streets is part of Brown’s reopening plan and small business initiative that joined Chippewa’s restaurant operators with city officials to safely increase seating capacity.

The outdoor dining concept comes after the announcement by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that restaurants and bars statewide may only serve alcohol to people ordering and eating food.

“The fact that the city is willing to work with us by thinking outside the box to try and make things a little better for our businesses just reaffirms why we all started our businesses downtown in the first place,” said Jay Manno, owner of Frankie Primo’s +39 and Soho Buffalo, NY.

Security will be on site to ensure social-distancing guidelines. Patrons must wear masks until seated and stay 6 feet apart when walking to and from each business.