Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Open air market gets more time
WEST CHESTER » There will be more time to dine and shop under the stars.
Four blocks of Gay Street will stay closed, and the open air market will continue to remain open – for a bit longer.
PennDOT agreed to allow restaurants to place tables, andmerchants to operate, in the state roadway through the end of November.
Likely at its October meeting, Borough Council will determine the end date for the closure. Blocking the thoroughfare with Jersey barriers, from Matlack Street and to the west, has promoted social distancing, while attracting diners and shoppers, during the ongoing global pandemic.
Danny Alkassmi, of Taco Mar, 122 E. Gay St., said the impact of the open air market has been amazing, with business up at least 35 percent.
“We are loving it,” he said about the street closure. “We are all in business to make it. It was a gift from the heavens.
“We thought the pandemic was going to be the end of it.”
Alkassmi said that the community has been very supportive
and very generous with gratuities. He said many visitors compare dining on the street to going on vacation.
“They want us to survive and our workers to survive andget their share,” he said. “Visitors are coming from far and near and leaving with the best possible impression of West Chester.”
Mayor Dianne Herrin spearheaded the project.
“The conversion of Gay Street into our Open- Air Marketplace has largely been a great success for our town during these challenging times,” Herrin said. “It has brought people into town safely and restored some normalcy for our residents and business owners alike.
“We are all working together to support our Main Street, and help our residents experience the strong sense of community that makes West Chester so special. I am proud of what we have achieved, and I have faith we will get through the pandemic and its economic impacts together.”
John O’Brien, executive director of the Business Improvement District, has championed the open air market.
“Iwant to thank Borough
Council, state Representative Carolyn Comitta, and Congresswoman ( Chrissy) Houlahan for working hard to get this extension,” he said. “This will allow the Greater West Chester Community to come to West Chester and shop at our great retail stores and eat at our restaurants.
“Our small businesses still need support so whenever you can, buy local!
We want to remind folks to check out the great restaurants and retail shops we have off of Gay Street. There is a lot of outside seating available at these restaurants so that customers can dine and be safe at the same time!”
Dave Fairman is interim President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce and supports the closure.
“The chamber is pleased with the decision to extend the time frame for the Gay Street Open Air Marketplace,” Fairman said. “Chamber members have found some very creative ways to connect with their customers while maintaining safe social distancing and we’re thrilled with how the community has supported West Chester’s small businesses.”