Struggles with the North End's Re-opening

There will be a meeting today for  North End restauranteurs regarding a number of concerns residents are dealing with as Massachusetts allows restaurants to open for business with outdoor-dining as Corona (Covid-19) continues its presence. Among the concerns are loud music blaring on the street, patrons smoking, and tables being set up beyond the allowed layout.

Anyone who does not attend the meeting will not be able to serve customers. In the story linked, some owners report hearing so many things and they are hoping the meeting can provide some clarification.

Some of this may indeed be a matter of misunderstanding. Restaurants thought the tables could extend to a certain point when in fact, that is not the case. The music? Possibly just restaurants trying to provide some ambiance. "Loud" is a relative term.

Smoking? Not allowed inside a restaurant. Could customers be trying to get around that by saying they are outside? Maybe, but the restaurants must work to explain to their customers what is acceptable and what is not. Restaurants, especially the independently-owned ones, desperately need this phase of re-opening to remain in business. The employees are depending on this as well.

Customers who are rude and unruly are not helping the matter at all and restaurants would be well within their rights to remove those customers and refuse service. State and municipal leaders are working together with businesses to make sure people can return to work. Would police officers walking around the area help if there is a disturbance or confusion as to the rules?

If a patron enters the restaurant and does not follow the rules, it is the restaurants that will suffer the consequences. The restaurants can remind those who are not following the rules what the regulations and acceptable behaviors are. Customers who follow the rules can help by reminding a nearby party. If not, the restaurant should remove the disrespectful people from their respective establishment. The business won't be missed. A lot of people are anxious to get back out.