Council approves three temporary outdoor service expansions for downtown and Post Road restaurants

The East Greenwich Town Council approved three requests to temporarily expand outdoor service for licensed restaurants as the town prepares for warmer weather.

Mimi's Cafe at 1855 South County Trail, Kaibar at 232 Main Street, and Blackstone EG at 241 Main Street each sought to move seats outdoors for the April–September seasonal period. Town staff reported building, zoning and fire reviews were complete and liability insurance for applicants was current.

Mimi’s Cafe sought to reconfigure 8 seats outdoors while maintaining a total of 52 seats; the council approved the request 3–0. Kaibar requested 10 outdoor seats; staff reported an accessible egress and prior approvals, and the council approved 3–0. Blackstone EG requested eight sidewalk seats; the council approved the expansion 3–0 and staff said the Department of Transportation had approved spacing adjacent to the roadway. Councilors asked staff to confirm consistent delineation (stanchions/markers) for sidewalk service areas.

Why it matters: Seasonal outdoor service can affect pedestrian flow and public safety; the council relied on building, zoning, fire and DOT approvals and asked applicants to clearly delineate service areas.

Details: Applicants provided updated seating plans to the town portal and confirmed bollards or pedestrian clearances where appropriate. Applicants present at the meeting confirmed addresses and insurance. The council approved each request by unanimous vote.

Ending: Staff will monitor the outdoor service areas for compliance with building, fire and DOT conditions and follow up where physical delineation of service areas is inconsistent along Main Street.