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Remarks

Restler: Cost of building and storing structures is the main barrier to year-round dining

New York City Council · Aug 13, 2026 · starts 0:02:50 · 36 sec

Restler identifies the number one reason restaurants left the program: the expense of building, deconstructing, and storing outdoor dining structures in winter. He argues year-round dining will bring thousands of restaurants back across all neighborhoods.

Lincoln Restler

And the number one reason why restaurants say they're not providing outdoor dining anymore is because it is stupidly expensive to build and deconstruct and store.

Lincoln Restler

these outdoor dining structures during the winter months.

Lincoln Restler

So you may be wondering, you know, am I really going to enjoy a meal in December outside?

Lincoln Restler

I mean, tragically with climate change, there are a lot more warm December days than there used to be.

Lincoln Restler

But the real, the most salient benefit of this legislation is that there are going to be thousands of additional restaurants across every one of our neighborhoods that are offering outdoor dining and a great place for us to enjoy a meal outdoors.