RHODE ISLAND â House Small Business Committee Chair Carol Hagan McEntee (Dist. 33 â South Kingstown, Narragansett) has proposed legislation that would allow restaurants to continue providing al fresco dining for at least another year.
When life eventually returns to normal and emergency orders are lifted, McEntee doesnât want to immediately do away with an important lifeline for the restaurant community. Because municipalities relaxed ordinances and zoning requirements, small businesses were able to âTake It Outsideâ and survive a period of incredible financial hardship.Â
But this lifeline didnât come without significant efforts and investments.Â
âBefore emergency orders are lifted, I want to see a moratorium from cities and towns from shutting down all the efforts that these businesses have made to âTake It Outside,â to continue to survive,â McEntee said during the most recent Small Business Committee meeting. âI want t