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: townofoak@gmail.com 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.