Downtown Wheaton Dining Tents Come Down; Hale Street Reopens

WHEATON, IL — The dining tents that have occupied downtown Wheaton throughout the summer and most of the fall are being taken down Dec. 1. The decision to remove the tents was unanimous and businesses were on board, Downtown Wheaton Association Executive Elle Withall explained in a social media post Monday.

Withall wrote, "While we had hoped to utilize the tents for the winter we are unable to do that with the new guidelines while ensuring a comfortable experience for the customers."

She added that removing the tents will allow for restaurants in the area to better handle curbside and carryout services throughout the winter. Withall went on to thank the community for their continued support of downtown Wheaton's businesses.

She wrote, "While we know the public will have questions regarding their return, our focus at this moment is to do what we can to help our restaurants and retailers get through the next several months ahead."

The Downtown Wheaton Association plans to reassess the idea of outdoor dining come spring 2021.