Rhode Island Restaurant-Goers Encouraged To BYOB(lanket)

PROVIDENCE, RI — Fall weather has arrived in Rhode Island, raising questions about how long outdoor dining can reasonably continue. To help extend the season as long as possible, the Rhode Island Hospitality Association is taking Gov. Gina Raimondo's suggestion of "get creative."

A new initiative from the organization is calling for diners to BYOB — blankets, that is.

"Drink. Eat. Be cozy," the tagline reads.

"Since life is a little upside down these days, we might as well make the best of it," the video from the organization said. "Our industry needs you to continue dining with us, inside or outside this season. Take it outside, and BYO-blanket!"

The initiative pairs well with Raimondo's Take It Outside campaign, a call for stores, restaurants and workplaces to do whatever they can to conduct business outdoors. Earlier this month, the governor announced an additional $1 million in grant funding to help purchase lighting, furniture, heat lamps or anything else that would make this process easier.