PORT CLINTON, Ohio — A temporary solution to waning business for Port Clinton restaurants has found great success, leading city officials to extend the program through the fall.
"Meals on Madison Street" - or "MOMS" - was developed early on during the coronavirus shutdown process, as members of the city's chamber of commerce worked to keep downtown businesses running.
The idea was to close off an entire block of Madison St. and set up tables to allow residents to buy takeout meals from their favorite restaurants and still have a place to sit down and eat. But, just as setup was nearing completion, restrictions on Ohio restaurants eased up a bit.
"When Governor DeWine came out and said we're going to open first with outdoor seating, then it was even more perfect because a lot of these businesses don't have outdoor seating or the room to do outdoor seating," Main Street Port Clinton Program Manager Nichole Kochenbarger said.
The turnout has been so good, that MOMS has been extended to run through November, and could even become a seasonal staple.
The extra foot traffic is not only good for the restaurants, but for all of the businesses along Madison Street.
"People are venturing everywhere, looking at the storefronts, seeing what's all available. A lot of people don't even know that there are actual shops here in Port Clinton downtown," Lakelynn Design LLC employee Kim Berkowitz said.
Along with all of the dining options, Port Clinton leaders have also re-instituted the city's Friday night Riverfront Concert series also on Madison St.