The term “eating out” is getting more literal here in Jackson Hole. As the summer weeks go by, more and more restaurants are adding outdoor seating for customers. While some business owners made creative deck expansions or picnic bench additions, others went straight to the streets.
Parklets use former parking stalls and create them into seating for the public – or in this case, customers. Now, more people can enjoy soaking up the summer heat, eating delicious food and feeling comfortable and safe while doing so.
Here is the Town of Jackson’s list of approved outdoor seating expansions
According to the Town of Jackson’s Public Information Officer, Carl Pelletier, parklet additions are just one of the ways the town is trying to increase space for visitors and locals looking to dine out.
“Currently, the parklets and the flex space [in town] are temporary, with an end date of October 31, 2020; however, we may learn some great lessons from this necessary experiment.”
PIO Carl Pelletier
For Jackson Drug Co. co-owner Jessica Gill, they initially started the parklet application to make up for the tables removed from their indoor seating; however, once all their tables were set up, it became a huge success for their business and the comfort of their customers.
“It’s really nice because, for the people who don’t want to dine-in and sit in a restaurant, there’s the option to dine outside and enjoy the weather.”
Co-owner of Jackson Drug, Jessica Gill
While the parklets are currently temporary, many have found the expansion a fun challenge and added perk to the dining experience. For Gather’s barback Max Kern, the restaurant worked hard by adding flowers, furniture and planters to create a lovely outdoor ambiance that makes customers feel removed from the street.
To learn more about the Town of Jackson’s parklet application, click here.
