BANGOR, Maine — Spring has sprung in Bangor and so has outdoor dining. People and their pets are coming out to enjoy the fresh air and support local businesses.
On Friday afternoon, Durby St. George and his 28-year-old macaw named Phat Chicken sat down for a meal downtown.
“Any chance I go out I can, (and) I take him out with me,” St. George said.
Outdoor dining is the only way they can eat out together due to most restaurants’ animal restrictions.
“If he doesn't go, I don't go,” St. George said.
Though they’re limited in their dining options, St. George enjoys the chance to take Phat Chicken out now that outdoor patios are open.
“It's so much better than being at home, isn't it? Meet new people. It's always an adventure with Phat Chicken. Everyone wants to see him, wants to take pictures, wants to talk,” St. George said.
The changing seasons bring many people like St. George out to dine, boosting business for local restaurants.
“Folks out here in Maine, you get cabin fever, and as soon as it's slightly not cold and sunny you're outside,” John Dobbs, owner of Paddy Murphy’s said.
That’s why Dobbs decided to open the patio at Paddy Murphy’s for the season.
“It brings in more people. I also think it brings more people to the downtown in general, which is why I think it's great when every place that can has an outside patio,” Dobbs said.
Dobbs said that outdoor dining has been great for his business. According to Anne Krieg, Bangor's director of development, outdoor dining also benefits the city as a whole.
“I think it's really good for people as they're driving by and walking by to see that activity that's outside,” Krieg said. “I think it helps all of the businesses because it just shows that, you know, this is a place that people wanna be.”
Krieg also spoke on how dining outdoors brings people together.
“People, you know, wanna be outside and enjoy being together with their friends and their family and just being able to sit outside in this great space, have a nice meal and hang out,” she said.
As the weather gets warmer in Bangor, businesses said they are expecting even bigger turnouts.