Take a Break Outside on Sidewalk Cafe Day in Royal Oak

Warmer weather and the welcoming of spring mean a great day is finally here: Sidewalk Cafe Day in Royal Oak.

Friday is the first day this year that downtown restaurants will bring their tables outside for curbside dining. The April 15 development in Royal Oak usually coincides with the income tax filing deadline, and although the official day to file your taxes this year is Monday, downtown restaurant owners are still hoping filers need a break and will be looking for some outside relaxation.

One downtown restaurant manager says it’s also the perfect way to treat yourself post-taxes.

“Who wouldn’t want to come out and enjoy the weather after filing their taxes?” said Carrie O’Neill, general manager of .

The sidewalk dining season in Royal Oak runs April 15-Oct. 31 every year, with many restaurants putting out tables along Main Street and Washington Avenue in order to take advantage of good weather and the foot traffic that comes with it.

While this past Sunday, which approached 80 degrees by midafternoon, might have been an ideal time to begin the yearly ritual, restaurants have to abide by the schedule for insurance reasons.

“It’s a city regulation,” explained O’Neill, who is also president of the Royal Oak Restaurant Association. “There are liabilities that come with offering sidewalk dining on public sidewalks, so the city has a set season for it, and restaurants must carry some kind of insurance to protect themselves.”

Despite the logistics of being able to offer outdoor dining after a long, cold winter, O’Neill said she was simply looking forward to Friday and the start of a new season — and to the opportunity to lure more business.

This year is the second year The Rock on 3rd has offered sidewalk dining and O’Neill said it has been a huge success in terms of attracting patrons.

“Hands down, last summer was our best summer ever because people just like to sit outside,” O’Neill said. “I’m just praying for weather like we had (Sunday).”

Other Royal Oak restaurants agreed that offering the option to dine outside just makes good economic sense.

Stephanie Marshall, manager of , said business definitely picks up after the restaurant sets the tables outside. Lily’s puts out only five tables that seat two people each and they’re constantly full, Marshall said.

“It’s like one person sits out there, and then there’s a huge, long line that follows,” Marshall said.

The Rock on 3rd, Lily’s and other restaurants did not comment specifically on how much their business picks up because of outdoor seating. They also indicated there are no specific celebrations or special deals they are offering Friday, aside from regular happy hour specials.

“We’ve always had the patio and I guess it’s just something that comes along every year,” said Sam Shoemo, the front-of-house manager for , which serves breakfast beginning at 7 a.m. daily. “But it definitely really helps out business, and first thing every morning, people want to sit outside.”