Greenwich Avenue has opened up much of its outdoor space to restaurants during the pandemic, but now it's turning it into a permanent change.

The Board of Selectmen voted to keep outdoor dining along Restaurant Row blocked off to traffic until December.

First Selectman Fred Camillo let restaurants expand outdoor dining into the avenue during the pandemic, but says it was something he had planned to do during his term anyway.

Rui Corriea, chef/partner at Douro Restaurant Bar, appreciates the space for more tables and the new environment it has created on the avenue.

"I think people have gravitated to it and in my opinion, it's the way to go," said Corriea.

However, due to the hit the restaurant took during the pandemic, Corriea doesn't believe he'll be able to keep outdoor dining once the weather changes.

"Investing in heat lamps and outdoor furnishing for the winter is expensive," Corriea said. "You're at the mercy of the weather."

Camillo thinks outdoor dining should be an option restaurants have.

"Who knows really, going forward, what the long lasting effects are going to be of this virus? I've talk to a lot of people who say they're not going back indoors anytime soon," said Camillo.

Camillo says he hopes that early next year they vote to keep outdoor dining from April to December every year going forward.

Because some parking has been eliminated due to the outdoor dining, Camillo says the plan is to add a trolley in the next few years so people can park at Town Hall and ride downtown.