Patio season has returned to Lethbridge, bringing joy to restaurant workers and patrons alike after a long winter. The City of Lethbridge has issued permits for 11 patios, street vendors, and parklets so far this spring, with more anticipated as summer approaches. The Downtown BRZ executive director, Sarah Amies, notes that the popularity of patios in Lethbridge increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained high. Businesses like Telegraph Taphouse relied on outdoor dining to survive the pandemic, while new locations like Blanco Cantina have seen success with their patio, prompting them to expand by opening a new rooftop patio next weekend.
Ryan Wakeman, the general manager of Blanco Cantina, acknowledges that the summer season is crucial for their business as tacos and tequila do not attract customers in the winter. The patio has been so successful that the company needed to expand, fulfilling their dream of opening a rooftop patio. With Mother’s Day approaching, Amies anticipates that patios will be full of people celebrating their moms, with some businesses in Lethbridge offering special menus for the occasion.
The increase in popularity of patios during the COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on the restaurant industry in Lethbridge, with businesses like Telegraph Taphouse and Blanco Cantina relying on outdoor dining to boost business. The City of Lethbridge has issued permits for 11 patios, street vendors, and parklets this spring, with more expected as summer approaches. Amies notes that the Downtown BRZ anticipates the same number, if not more, of patios this year, driven by the continued popularity of outdoor dining in the city.
Ryan Wakeman of Blanco Cantina highlights the importance of the summer season for their business, as the patio allows them to thrive when the snow falls and visitors dwindle. The success of the patio has led the company to expand by opening a new rooftop patio, fulfilling a long-time dream. With Mother’s Day approaching, Amies expects the patios in Lethbridge to be filled with people celebrating their moms, with some businesses offering special menus for the occasion.
The return of patio season in Lethbridge has brought a sense of normalcy and joy to both restaurant workers and patrons after a challenging winter. The popularity of patios in the city has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained high, with businesses like Telegraph Taphouse and Blanco Cantina relying on outdoor dining to boost business. As summer approaches, the City of Lethbridge has issued permits for 11 patios, street vendors, and parklets, with more expected to open in the coming months. Amies of Downtown BRZ anticipates that patios will be full of people celebrating Mother’s Day, with some businesses offering special menus for the occasion.
