It has been a long, cold season and even though spring officially began some time ago, the chill of winter has remained.  Until today.  The cold broke—and is allowing us Midwesterners a few days’ respite.  The first thing we all want to do is get outside.  We wait, bide our time until the end of the workday and try to find excuses to spend time in the out-of-doors.  On days like this, I can’t pass up the temptation of a nice café or restaurant with an outdoor patio.

Apparently, I’m not alone in this.  Fast Casual’s site is featuring an article about the phenomenon of outdoor eating, and it’s a good read.  The fact is that when the weather warms up, an outdoor eating area is a great asset for any restaurant or bar.  It’s a low-cost way to add space to your existing establishment, and even if the weather gets a bit chilly after dark, there are ways to remedy the situation.  In fact, Serv-U currently offers a few outdoor patio heaters and we will soon be adopting more models for you to choose from.

Besides warmth, the only major requirement for outdoor eating is outdoor furniture.  Serv-U carries a wide variety of styles at every price point: aluminum, teak, wrought iron, resin, and more.  Outdoor furniture is built to resist the weather (be it rain or shine).  To better protect your guests in the heat of midsummer, stock up on attractive table umbrellas, and to clearly mark off dining space, use portable patio fencing.

Dining al fresco appeals to winter-fatigued patrons for the fresh air, the cool European café vibe, and last—but not least—it appeals to smokers.  With smoking bans becoming commonplace, it’s never too early to welcome this group of eaters to a comfortable outdoor smoking area.

Welcome, Spring!

 (photo courtesy of LukeGordon1 on Flickr)