With restaurants still limited to half capacity, Zelienople diners will see more al fresco eating options.

Borough council Monday approved a request from the Zelienople Business Association to put up tents and outdoor dining areas in Four Corners Park, at the intersection of East New Castle and Main streets and at the West Spring and Main street junction.

“We felt these outdoor seating options would be an asset to help (local restaurants) to be able to offer something to people that don't fit under that capacity,” said Matthew Edwards, business association administrator. “If they're at capacity and someone came in looking for food, they can say, 'You can order takeout and there's some seating that's nearby.'”

With tents going up Friday afternoon, the al fresco options will give patrons the chance to enjoy eating around other people, rather than at their homes, which has been the case since state-mandated closures in mid-March. Edwards added that a reprieve from this week's 90-degree temperatures should also entice them to patronize other local businesses.

This is an excerpt from a larger article that appeared in Sunday's Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read the full article.