Highland Park Gets Enhanced Options for Outside Dining

Residents, business owners, and visitors express a clear interest in seeing sit down options return to local restaurants as soon as possible. With the Governor’s new policy announced this week, allowing dining outside with social distancing, the time is right to start spending more time with our restaurants.

Main Street Highland Park, in cooperation with the Borough administration, has worked to enhance options for dining outside. Main Street’s ‘Town Tables’ program will create new spaces for local restaurants, coffee shops, and food providers to provide outside dining.

Starting June 15th, South 3rd Ave between Raritan Ave. and Benner St. will be closed to vehicles and 16 picnic tables will be set up in the street, socially distanced from each other. Plans for North 4th Ave are in development as well and details will be announced shortly.

In the new outdoor dining area, no more than eight people per table will be allowed and people not eating or drinking are expected to wear masks.

The ‘Town Tables’ program also encourages businesses to put small cafe tables & chairs and merchandise displays on the sidewalks near their buildings, after completing a free permit. All outside displays and seating must allow four feet of space for pedestrians to walk by.