Restaurants in the North End are expressing concerns for their survival, after the city of Boston announced last week that owners in the area who want to have outdoor seating this year will have to pay an added fee of $7,500.
The money is designated for mitigating some of the downsides for people who live in the neighborhood, including making parking spaces available in nearby garages for residents whose spots will be taken by restaurant patios.
But some restaurant owners say the fee is unfair — including Martin Aliaj, the owner of Isabella's off of Hanover Street. Aliaj previously worked at Pellino's in the same space, which closed during the pandemic.
"I understand that the city [has] to put sanctions on outside dining to help the North End, which I think is good," he told Morning Edition host Jeremy Siegel. "But it doesn't help the businesses, especially the small businesses like us. Let's say, if it was just for the parking spots, it's fair enough, because the neighbors, they need spots where they can park the cars. But I don't think that $7,500 is fair."
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement that residents from the North End deserve to have clean, livable streets, and that the North End has the densest assortment of restaurants of anywhere in the state.
"I understand that the city [has] to put sanctions on outside dining to help the North End, which I think is good," he said. "But it doesn't help the businesses, especially the small businesses like us."-MARTIN ALIAJ, OWNER OF ISABELLA'S, IN THE NORTH END
Aliaj said the fee would make more sense if it covered the costs of street and sidewalk cleaning, but the restaurants themselves are responsible for cleaning their spots.
“It's been rough. They are putting many rules this year," he said. "So literally, if you do the smallest mistake, you can lose [your business]."
He added that outdoor dining is a good option for restaurants that are located in the main strip of the neighborhood, but it's less profitable for smaller businesses that are located on side streets.
"I understand on Hanover Street, which is the principal street, there is a lot of walking, a lot of opportunity," he said. "So the people there will enjoy sitting outside. Also the street is wide there — but here I don't think it will be good for business.”
The outdoor dining season will begin in Boston on April 1, followed by a May 1 opening for restaurants in the North End. The season will run until sometime in December, and until Sept. 5 for the North End, with the possibility for extension until Sept. 30, depending on compliance.
