FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 25, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS: Gordon Tepper, Rebecca Cheng, Matthew Leonenko and Michael Anderson | (516) 869-7794
Downtown Port Washington Kicks-Off Port Outdoors Dine & Shop Initiative
Main Street closed to cars, open to pedestrians for dining, shopping, and entertainment
North Hempstead, NY - Supervisor Judi Bosworth and Council Member Mariann Dalimonte have announced that the Town of North Hempstead in partnership with the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District (BID) and the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce will be kicking off “Port Outdoors Dine & Shop” beginning on Thursday, August 27, 2020. The “Port Outdoors Dine & Shop” will close down portions of Main Street for pedestrian traffic only allowing residents to take advantage of local dining and shopping.
“This is an exciting opportunity for residents who want to be able to safely spend time outdoors, adhere to social distancing guidelines, and support local businesses,” said Supervisor Judi Bosworth. “We all know that our local stores and restaurants are the lifeline to a vibrant and thriving downtown. Without them, our communities would not be the same. It is so important to support our local businesses to help keep them around for years to come.”
Port Outdoors Dine & Shop will be held each Thursday for six weeks from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. All visitors are asked to wear a face mask when not dining and to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Festivities will begin on August 27 and end on October 1. On August 27, September 10 and September 24, upper Main Street and Port Commons will be open for pedestrians (Main Street from Port Washington Boulevard to Belleview Avenue will be temporarily closed).
On September 3, September 17, and October 1 Middle and Lower Main Street will be open for pedestrians (Main Street from Central Drive to Library Road and Main Street from High Street Shore Road) will be temporarily closed. In addition to shopping and dining there will be an array of art, music, and dance performances along the walking route. Parking lots and side street parking will be available for diners and shoppers.
“Now more than ever we need to show our support for our local businesses,” said Council Member Mariann Dalimonte. “Visit some of your favorites, or check out something new, but SupPORT local.”
This is the very first iteration of the Town’s “Lift Up Local” initiative, which was designed by Supervisor Bosworth’s internal Business Recovery Response Workgroup. The group’s goal is to find ways to help businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Workgroup, which includes members of the Town Board, have helped establish dining in local parks, expanded outdoor dining programs, created a “parklet” sidewalk dining extension program, as well as facilitated street closures to help attract customers.
For more information and rain date information, please call 311.
