Phoenixville Taking Open-Air Permit Applications Now

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Phoenixville maximized open-air dining in 2020 and applications are being taken now for permits to operate sidewalk cafes and other businesses outdoors in the borough to start next month.

Phoenixville Borough Council has approved the street closures that were used in 2020 for open-air business setup, to begin April 16. The hours for April 16-Nov. 29, 2021 open-air business street closures are different than the 2020 hours. This year's open-air time is from Friday at 2 p.m. to Monday at 7 a.m.

March 10 was the first day to apply. Businesses that want to apply can do so at the Phoenixville Borough website, open-air business setup page.

Applications are open for sidewalk cafe businesses, non-food businesses. There is also a combination application for businesses that combine a sidewalk café and an open-air setup with a permit for food businesses located on the 100 and 200 block of Bridge Street. This would allow businesses to set up on days where the open-air setup closures are not taking place — Mondays 7 a.m. to Fridays at 2 p.m. — as well as during the open-air setup permit hours of operation. There will be no parking on Bridge Street during these hours.

Memorial Day through Labor Day hours are Fridays 4-11 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The borough emphasized that businesses must have approval before setting up, and the 2020 permits are not carrying over into this year.

Here are links to the application materials:

• Sidewalk Café
• Open-Air Set Up (Non-Food Business)
• Sidewalk Café/Open-Air Set Up Permit

To apply, businesses must complete the application and email it with a copy of their liability insurance certificate, naming the Borough as additionally insured, to manager@phoenixville.org. Those who previously submitted a valid certificate of insurance need to state this in their email, the borough said. The permit application fee is $25. More information can be found here.

Occupancy restrictions will ease next month on many restaurants and other businesses across the state. Most eateries, malls, gyms, movie theaters, and casinos will be allowed to operate at 75 percent capacity as of April 4.

Restaurants may resume bar service and alcohol service will be allowed without the purchase of food. Additionally, the curfew for removing alcoholic drinks from tables will be lifted.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced March 15 that restaurants that have self-certified in regard to cleaning and mitigation protocols will be allowed to increase capacity to 75 percent. Those that have not self-certified will be allowed to increase capacity to 50 percent. Wearing masks and observing social distancing still will be required.

Eric Heyl contributed to this story.

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