Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim has issued an order fast-tracking the permit process for restaurants to allow outside dining as businesses are slated to reopen in less than two weeks.
Joseph Vukusic, of Joseph's Steakhouse, says he's looking forward to offering outside dining, since under the new rules, only a limited number of people will be allowed inside of restaurants at one time.
Mayor Ganim says while Gov. Ned Lamont will be allowing restaurants to offer open-air food service, the local zoning process is still very much a local issue for cities and towns to address, and that is why he is issuing an executive order to fast-track the permitting process for outside dining.
He says the process will allow restaurants in the city to begin offering outdoor service as soon as they reopen their doors on May 20.
Vukusic says the business is barely getting by on pickup and delivery orders only. He says hearing he can reopen to outdoor service on May 20 was the best news he could get.
"I'm very happy about that. Economy has to go on," said Vukrusic. "We're going to put umbrellas, we're going to respect the safety measures."
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