THE DAY (May 28, 2020) — Reopening downtown restaurants for outside dining as the state eases COVID-19 restrictions proved to be a group effort in Norwich, with the city, local banks, a construction contractor, a waste removal company and even Frontier Communications helping to make it happen.
Norwich Community Development Corp. Senior Vice President Jason Vincent told the NCDC board of directors Thursday that efforts to open downtown restaurants to outside dining last week required a group effort of public and private entities. The city provided concrete barriers, traffic warning barrels and picnic tables at the start, and the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce and Global City Norwich loaned tents, Vincent said.
Several other businesses stepped up to donate supplies and services. Dime Bank purchased barrels of flowers and additional tents to enhance outdoor dining spaces, and Eastern Savings Bank quickly followed suit, buying outdoor dining tables and flowers, Vincent said.
