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They actually did it and the outdoor seating is coming back to Alder Street which honestly feels like a massive win for everyone who showed up. I am still processing the fact that the council finally listened to us after all that back and forth at the meeting. We should …

August 1, 2022

Bring back outdoor seating on Alder Street

Bring back outdoor seating on Alder Street

🏆 Won — 558 supporters Verified

Final supporters

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Started by STEPHANIE LEWIS 4 years, 3 months ago

GREAT NEWS: Outdoor tables will return at the Vagabond Taproom! 66 people attended the special town council meeting yesterday, Tuesday, May 24th. Over a dozen individuals, including Alder Street business owners, spoke in favor of bringing back outdoor seating on Alder Street. The Town Council voted 6-1 in favor of immediately permitting the outdoor seating.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen for our great small town!

UPDATE: The Town of Oakland is holding a special Council meeting to discuss outdoor dining in Oakland on Tuesday, May 24th at 3:00 PM in City Hall. Save the date and stop by in person, continue to share this petition, or send an email to: [email protected] and express your support for our Downtown businesses.

The intent of this petition is to obtain signatures in support of extending outdoor seating on Alder Street from Garrett County residents and those who visit our great small town of Oakland.

Recently, Oakland, MD Mayor Kathy Shaffer announced that outdoor seating would not be permitted on Alder Street in front of The Vagabond Taproom & Shoofly Java. The Oakland Mayor is not allowing the return of concrete barriers that have been used in past years to mark off 3 parking spots in front of these businesses to allow for safe, family friendly, outdoor seating for dining and outdoor music/entertainment.

By not allowing the outdoor seating on Alder Street, a very essential piece of our downtown atmosphere is being (ironically) eliminated from the area known as the Oakland Arts & Entertainment District. An area that fills with locals, tourists and passers by eager to spend time outdoors with family and friends. Folks stroll from store to store, grab a bite to eat, get pampered at salons, view local artwork at galleries, or browse the farmer's market. This year on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons when the farmer's market is open there won't be outdoor music filling the air from the Vagabond Taproom, the musicians will be confined to the indoors. This year there won't be folks chatting under umbrellas enjoying a meal or a beverage with friends on Alder Street, they too will be indoors.

Outdoor dining and music attract customers to all downtown Oakland businesses. Without it our local, small town businesses could potentially face decreased revenue during the busiest time of the year. Please sign this petition to express your support to bring back outdoor seating at The Vagabond Taproom & Shoofly Java on Alder Street and to expand outdoor seating to other downtown businesses.

Updates

Reached 500 supporters

May 23, 2022

Reached 100 supporters

May 17, 2022

May 14, 2022

I was checking the total and saw we are creeping up on that hundred mark which feels like a real turning point for us even though I know it is just a number. If you have been waiting for the right moment to blast this out to your group chats or post it on your wall please just do it now because the momentum is actually starting to feel real.

6 Comments

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Tom Rodriguez
4 years ago Featured

Happy to hear this. Those parking spots are a waste anyway when people are actually out walking around downtown.

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Dave Marshall
4 years ago Featured

Ridiculous that this was even a fight in the first place. Glad it got sorted out.

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Jessica Fuentes
4 years ago Featured

THEY ARE BACK! CANT WAIT FOR THE WEEKEND!!!

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Sarah Garcia
4 years ago Featured

Yes!! I love sitting out there in the summer. So glad they changed their minds.

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Mike Doyle
4 years ago Featured

Finally some common sense from the council. Alder street has been so dead lately without the tables.

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Karen Holmes
4 years ago Featured

best news all week. now if only we could get more options like this elsewhere in oakland

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