NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com to have them published here.
***
I am genuinely astounded and appalled by the decision to change the outdoor dining laws and introduce meters downtown.
In an era where brick-and-mortar retailers are facing unprecedented challenges, this appears to be a misguided and shortsighted plan.
These changes are likely to devastate the retail industry, our downtown area, and our restaurant business.
The removal of outdoor seating at our restaurants is a grave mistake. I can’t fathom why the town would want to discourage a thriving restaurant business that also attracts people to our local businesses before and after meals.
All our restaurants are now suffering significant business losses due to the popularity of outdoor dining.
For instance, Solé Restaurant only loses two parking spots for outdoor dining, but the customers they gain and the additional revenue they generate are substantial.
This change is negatively impacting their income and making it difficult for them to sustain their business in an already challenging economy.
We have a relatively short summer to utilize outdoor dining in Connecticut, and there are ample parking spaces available away from Elm Street for visitors.
Every single store owner is being adversely affected by the introduction of parking meters.
What used to be a bustling downtown with people constantly moving between shops has now become a nightmare.
It’s almost as if the town is deliberately discouraging people from shopping.
In the past, residents would have easily popped into a store to grab something quickly, but now it’s become a planned activity.
I used to wander from store to store, taking the time to browse, but now I’m constantly worried about whether I have enough time on the meter.
I can’t fathom how this is a positive step for our community or our retail partners.
Our little downtown has a vibrant and lively atmosphere, and it seems to me that these changes are doing their best to extinguish it.
Cathy Kangas
I agree with Kathy. I am a long time resident of New Canaan. I went to Center School – I have seen many changes thru the years but none so negatively impactful as the parking meters. I no longer can pop in and pick up a bakery item or coffee without thinking about putting money in a meter. We have always been a welcoming town to visitors -I am sorry to say that now we are encouraging shopping and downtown strolls to other towns or shopping on the internet. It is a very sad situation.
I applaud and heartily endorse Cathy Kangas’ outrage at the state of our beautiful town with regard to parking and outdoor dining. Why is there an effort to make changes that are negatively impacting our merchants and restaurants? Similar towns as Darien and Wilton have no parking meters and in all honesty we are the envy of many surrounding towns with our wonderful restaurants and the beauty of our outdoor dining. Pleas reconsider these foolish decisions and enable our merchants and restaurants to continue to thrive.