UPDATED: Landlord Threatens to Prohibit Outdoor Dining at 3 Cranston Restaurants
GoLocalProv Business Team
UPDATED: Landlord Threatens to Prohibit Outdoor Dining at 3 Cranston Restaurants
Dean Scanlon, owner of Revolution American Bistro, Kristi Knoedler, owner of Fellini Pizzeria, and Ray Verrocchio, owner of Bagel Express and Deli, said they have been directed to remove all outdoor dining equipment and furniture by their landlord, Anthony Albanese by April 15.
The restaurant owners have been providing outdoor service to patrons since the state “Take It Outside” initiative began in May 2020.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“We have invested tens of thousands of dollars since Albanese successfully sought and won approval of a zoning change to keep the outdoor dining permanent in March 2022,” Scanlon said.
A change.org petition has been started, asking people to sign in support of keeping outdoor dining.
Legal and Legislative Actions
Attorneys for the restaurants plan to fight what the owners say is the unlawful termination of outdoor dining.
Additionally, in-restaurant petitions are being circulated and all 3 affected restaurants have taken to social media to attempt to stop the landlord from imposing this action.
Albanese sent the notice via his attorney Steve Conti, to all three businesses after McKee signed a bill allowing restaurants to continue state-approved outdoor dining, regardless of local ordinances.
The bill (2023-S 0683, 2023-H 5264A), sponsored by state Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-South Kingstown, Narragansett), and state sen. Alana DiMario (D-Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham), extended approved outdoor dining until February 15, 2024.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, McKee imposed a moratorium on some local ordinances that prohibited outdoor dining, allowing more restaurants around the state to serve customers outdoors. That moratorium was scheduled to expire on April 1 but was extended by bill being signed into law.
“The take it outside campaign has proven to be very popular with residents, tourists and business owners alike,” McEntee said. “With confusing zoning ordinances that vary from town to town, the process of providing outdoor dining can be costly and overly burdensome on small businesses. Passing this bill provides a window of relief while Senator DiMario and I work with all the stakeholders, including the hospitality association, the league of cities and towns, and individual business owners, to find a long-term solution to keep outdoor dining going strong.”
“With the warm weather coming, our small businesses deserve clarity and certainty,” DiMario said. “By passing this extension, we ensure restaurants can plan for this spring and summer as we continue to work with local leaders and small business owners to make outdoor dining permanent.”
The legislation passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate.
Landlord's Attorney Responds
On Monday, Conti told GoLocal the following:
"The only thing [Albanese] is taking back is the parking lot. They still have the sidewalk and patio [for outside dining]," said Conti.
Conti acknowledged that in 2022, his client had gone before the Cranston zoning board -- looking to make the entire parking lot outside dining.
"He wanted that, but then [the tenants] wanted improvements to come out of his pocket," said Conti. "If they want to help chip in, they could, but they won't."
On Monday afternoon, Scanlon responded to Conti's comments.
"We have all known since the time of the zoning approval that we would all have to 'chip in.' In fact last week, Albanese gave specific numbers regarding respective contributions to get the project started and said we would break ground in November. What changed?" asked Scanlon,
Story first published Monday April 3, 2023 9:48 AM
Updated Monday April 3, 2023 4:26 PM