Diners take to the patios – Record-Courier

Some restaurant patrons took advantage of the first day to dine outside Friday in downtown Kent.

Although quite a few restaurants had outdoor tables set up for diners, only a few establishments had diners around lunchtime.

Paninis in Kent, which is known for outdoor dining predating COVID-19 that features an indoor/outdoor bar and an outdoor fireplace in the winter, seemed to have the most traffic in Kent and Ravenna around lunchtime Friday.

"Opening day was so exciting so we just had to take part," said Kent State University student Gretchen Schurman, who dined with two friends. "Going out to eat is a big part of our lives."

Andy Somich, general manager at Paninis in Kent, acknowledged that the restaurants history of outdoor dining probably helped bolster traffic.

"Everyone says we have the best patio around," he said, adding it has 26 outdoor tables after accounting for social distancing. "We probably took about 10 to 12 tables out of there."

He said traffic "was very steady out of the gate. We opened up at 11 oclock. People were just starving to get outside to a restaurant."

Carl Picelle, owner of the Franklin Square Deli, said hes been offering carry-out food throughout the business shut-down, but hes happy to be open so business can gear up again.

"Weve been moderately busy," he said. "Our community supported us pretty well. Weve been going for 38 years."

Mike Mikula was among the outdoor diners at the Franklin Avenue Deli around lunchtime.

"We were in Kent and decided to come down and get a sandwich from Carl," he said, referring to himself as "one of the endangered species."

He also said he has confidence Picelle has taken all the necessary safety precautions to make sure he and other diners are as safe as possible.

Sandy Knotek, owner of Tavern 1888 in Ravenna, said she was prepared well ahead of time for outdoor service to begin.

"Weve been ready and waiting," she said earlier this week. "Ive already done all the precautionary stuff we have to do."

Others in Kent arent opening yet, including Barflyy, according to general manager AliviaBrisbin.

"We are actually not open today," she said Friday morning. "Were kind of playing it by ear to see how busy downtown is and to see if we can have enough work to pay our bills and our employees."

Don Smith, owner of Mimis Italian Grill and Bar in Ravenna, said he had a couple small parties one for six and one for two scheduled for Friday evening but hadnt yet reopened the restaurant for outdoor dining. Instead, he plans to open May 21.

Mimis has been offering carry-out and delivery to older diners since the stay-at-home order was issued.

"We were vacillating when this first started, but I was afraid if we shut down wed never get open again," he said. "Weve done OK. I appreciate everything the community has done."

Carry-out diners have been particularly generous, tipping for a service that usually wouldnt merit a tip, he added.

"I think were gonna be swamped when this thing opens up," he added. "I think people are tired of [the stay-at-home order]."

Reporter Bob Gaetjens can be reached at 330-620-8786, bgaetjens@recordpub.comor @bobgaetjens_rpc.

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Diners take to the patios - Record-Courier