Collingwood’s patio dining breaks record number of participants

People enjoying drinks and friends on an outdoor patio. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

It was sunny skies Monday afternoon in downtown Collingwood and one of the town’s biggest summer draws, the patios were full of life.

Kim Morrow, who was visiting from Barrie for the day was enjoying everything the town had to offer. “It’s beautiful downtown here. Good company and wonderful food and such a great atmosphere,” Morrow told CTV News.

This year, visitors to the Georgian Bay community will notice even more outdoor patios lining the main street. While the town has supported a patio program for years, this summer it has approved a record number of 25 applications.

“Using the parking spaces to animate the downtown makes a lot of sense,” said Sue Nicholson, general manager of the Collingwood Downtown BIA. “So they have used both sidewalk space, and many have extended into the roadways and parking spots.”

Collingwood resident Chris Lawrence supports the idea. “I think every place should have a patio, everybody wants to sit outside in the summertime,” he said.

Filiz Lutkett, owner of the Mexican restaurant Baked and Pickled, has had a patio for over a decade and understands its value. She was quick to join the expanded program this summer.

“This year, we were able to expand it to the street, which is really nice. It made it a little bit bigger and more spacious for the customers,” she said.

Mark Krause of Espresso Post agrees. “Now that they’ve expanded them out onto the street, it’s been even more fantastic. I think that really reaches the town,” he said.

With a record number of patio permits issued this year, Collingwood’s downtown is buzzing with activity.

The permits will remain valid until mid-October, giving locals and visitors alike a full season to enjoy the open-air dining.