Outdoor dining and retail in Ridgewood, NJ re-opened on Monday, June 15, 2020.
Weekday Outdoor Dining and Retail Started June 15th
Monday through Friday, the restaurants (with valid special permits to do so) may offer socially distant seating on the sidewalks by maintaining 6 feet between tables. Retail establishments (with valid permits) can open at 50% capacity and must maintain social distancing. Shops can also place tables on the sidewalks during the weekdays only (as permitted).
Ridgewood is open for business!
For more information about outdoor dining and shopping, check out this link: Welcome Back to Ridgewood NJ
Weekend Outdoor Dining & Shopping in Downtown Closure Zone
On Saturdays and Sundays, some of the downtown streets will be closed (“Closure Zone”). The restaurants and shops in the Closure Zone (with a valid COVID-19 permit) can place tables and chairs in their approved portion of the street while maintaining social distance. During the weekends, the sidewalks in the Closure Zone will be reserved for one-way pedestrian traffic. The streets in the Closure Zone must maintain a 10ft section in the center for emergency service access. For a Closure Zone map from the Village of Ridgewood website, check out this link:
Ridgewood Downtown Closure Zone Map
Village of Ridgewood Cafe Checklist and COVID-19 Regulations
As part of Phase 2 of New Jersey’s re-opening plan, Ridgewood restaurants are required to apply for a permit from the Village of Ridgewood. For this permit, the restaurants submit their plans to accommodate their patrons safely outdoors including keeping the tables 6 feet apart. For more information, check out this link to the Village of Ridgewood Website:
Village of Ridgewood Cafe Checklist COVID-19 Regulations
Village of Ridgewood Outdoor Shopping and COVID-19 Regulations
Ridgewood non-essential retail establishments are required to apply for a permit from the Village of Ridgewood in order to have outdoor tables. For this permit, the shops submit their plans to accommodate their patrons safely outdoors while maintaining required social distance. For more information, check out this link to the Village of Ridgewood Website:
Village of RIdgewood Outdoor Retail Regulations
Al Fresco Dining & Shopping in Ridgewood
Don’t forget to bring your mask, your mobile phone and your own pen! (Patrons are not allowed inside without masks). In order to limit the use of shared objects, restaurants will alert patrons via call/text (rather than pagers) when their tables are ready. Also, restaurants are discouraged from giving out reusable menus. Since most restaurants post menus on their website or facebook page, check out the specials before you sit down. This way you’ll be ready to place your order once – limiting the times your waiter needs to visit your table. Some restaurants accept mobile payment, but don’t forget to bring your own pen, just in case you need to sign.
Family dinners at home have been great, but I know many of us are really missing the restaurant dining experience! What perfect weather for dining al fresco in beautiful downtown Ridgewood.
It will be great to see everyone out, but keep your distance and don’t forget your mask!
Stay well!
Leave a Reply