Downtown Aurora reopens with restaurants offering outdoor dining

The state of Illinois is moving into Phase 3 under the Restore Illinois framework. Several businesses in Aurora will also start to reopen. Hair salons are taking appointments again. Outdoor dining at restaurants will begin. Retail shops will follow social distancing as they will reopen with no more than 50 percent occupancy.

Aurorans have proved once again that they are strong together. They are united to the city their city open in a healthy and safe way. Aurora Downtown has been working with city staff to make sure that the restaurants have adequate and safe outdoor dining options as businesses start to reopen. Part of Pinney Street, parking spaces on Stolp Avenue and Downer, and sidewalks have been turned into outdoor dining spaces.

Outdoor dining along with carry-out and delivery will be important for the survival of restaurants. Curbside pickup has been adapted by several downtown restaurants. On Friday night, you can see lines of cars along New York Street waiting for Ballydoyle, Doughball’s, or Gillerson’s Grubbery. The restaurants will have a learning curve with outdoor dining. They will navigate outdoor dining guidelines and implement safety measures.

Outdoor dining will be offered on May 29, by Ballydoyle at 28 W. New York St. and La Quinta de los Reyes at 36 E. New York St. Both restaurants will utilize their current outdoor dining spaces in the rear. Along New York Street sidewalk, Ballydoyle will add additional tables. On June 3, Pinney Street behind Restaurant Row will partially close to serve the following restaurants: Endiro Coffee, Gillerson’s Grubbery, and U Samba? Cafe.

In May, Tredwell Coffee reopened. They will be serving coffee, pastries, and sandwiches from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. With limited hours, Charlie’s Creamery also reopened. They will be serving ice cream and selling pints curbside.