Business & Tech

Ferndale Businesses Enjoy Early Patio Season

Licensed sidewalk cafes in Ferndale can't open until April 15, but customers of businesses with outdoor seating on their property are reveling in the nice weather.

The warm weather has brought people in droves to downtown Ferndale the past few weekends, and businesses with built-in outdoor seating are enjoying an early patio season.

George Grego, owner of in Ferndale, said this year is one of the earliest for patio openings. "I'd say out of the 19 years, it's gotta be in the top maybe three," he said.

Grego said business has seen a significant pickup with people wanting to sit outside on what he said is the longest-running patio in Ferndale.

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"You live in Michigan, you're cooped up in your house for so much of the winter time. As soon as the weather breaks you rush to get outside," he said.

In contrast, 2011 was one of the latest years for patio openings because it rained for 28 out of 30 days in May, he said.

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"You never can tell," Grego said.

Some places have to wait til April 15

For businesses that don't have permanent outdoor patios, such as and , a sidewalk cafe license is required.

Marne McGrath, deputy city clerk, said the dates for outdoor patio season for such places are the same as last year - April 15 through Oct. 31 (or, Tax Day through Halloween).

The licenses only apply to businesses that want to operate a sidewalk cafe. , Como's and other restaurants with outdoor seating on their own property don't need a sidewalk cafe license, McGrath said.

Noah Dorfman, owner of , said business was up this past weekend and that the cafe's outdoor patio was bustling Friday and Saturday.

"It was definitely beneficial to have a permanent patio," he said.

In fact, people have continued to use the patio throughout the mild winter season, he said.

Royal Oak resident Amanda Horn was enjoying the Torino patio Thursday evening with her friend Leeanne Weldy.

"It's one of the reasons why we pick where to go," Horn said of the outdoor seating. "It's awesome."

Weldy, of Rochester Hills, agreed: "It makes you feel like part of the city," she said. "It feels good.

"The first thing we said when we got here is, 'It's so nice to sit outside!'"

McGrath said there have been no proposals to change the sidewalk cafe rules from last year.

"We do encourage businesses to apply early as it still takes time to review and approve their applications," she said. "This nice weather will certainly get people thinking about sidewalk cafe season."

Dino's Lounge will have outdoor seating in front of the restaurant on Woodward and also in the back in the pedestrian alley, owner Dean Bach said.

"We're always looking forward to being able to sit outside in Michigan," Bach said.

Businesses that apply for licenses

Here are some of the other businesses that usually apply for sidewalk cafe licenses:

  • , 240 W. Nine Mile Rd.
  • , 330 W. Nine Mile Rd.
  • , 22646 Woodward Ave.
  • , 22700 Woodward Ave.
  • , 22824 Woodward Ave.
  • , 22848 Woodward Ave.
  • , 22856 Woodward Ave.
  • , 22628 Woodward Ave.
  • , 280 W. Nine Mile Rd.
  • , 23500 Woodward Ave.
  • , 22914 Woodward Ave.

Businesses with permanent outdoor seating

Other businesses that have outside seating attached to their establishments include:

  • , 22651 Woodward Ave.
  • , 211 W. Nine Mile Rd.
  • , 22930 Woodward Ave.
  • , 215 W. Nine Mile Rd.
  • , 205 W. Nine Mile Rd.
  • , 1225 Woodward Heights
  • , 21468 Woodward Ave.

For more information on sidewalk patio licenses, contact the Ferndale City Clerk's office at .


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