Cisero’s owner: expand al fresco dining on Main Street

A Main Street restaurateur recently approached Mayor Dana Williams and the Park City Council with an idea to expand the number of places where people can dine al fresco in the spring, summer and fall.

Steve McComb, the owner of Bistro 412 and Cisero’s on Main Street, briefly outlined his idea during an appearance at a City Council meeting. A figure of $30,000 was mentioned to build decks at McComb’s places that would allow him to offer dining outside.

He told the elected officials 2009 was his worst year of business at Cisero’s. He said offering diners the choice of eating outside from the middle of May until the middle of September could boost sales.

McComb’s discussion with the mayor and City Council had not been scheduled, and the elected officials were not prepared to endorse the idea. They said, though, more talks are warranted. City Manager Tom Bakaly said a more formal discussion could be held on April 1 or April 15.

Several City Councilors, including Candy Erickson and Joe Kernan, indicated they were intrigued with the concept. Another City Councilor, Alex Butwinski, suggested the Historic Main Street Business Alliance, a merchants group, be involved in the talks.

Alison Butz, the executive director of the Historic Main Street Business Alliance, said the alliance’s leaders are supportive of McComb. She said he outlined his ideas at a recent meeting with the business alliance. Butz said McComb is expected to hold another round of talks with the business alliance in April.

There have been persistent complaints of business being down during the 2009-2010 ski season, typically the most lucrative period of the year in Park City. Business in the summer and fall has steadily risen over the years, but tourism promoters and individual stores and restaurants have tried to boost the numbers even further through special deals and other promotions. Some restaurants on or near Main Street already offer outdoor dining on their patios.

If City Hall pursues the McComb idea, it is likely there would be another round of talks involving city staffers and Main Street. Discussion points could include the design of the decks, their locations and funding sources. Ideas on Main Street oftentimes become tangled discussions as the varying business interests become involved.

Main Street in recent years has faced stiffer competition than it has throughout Park City’s skiing era, with new shopping and dining districts popping up in places like Kimball Junction and along the Bonanza Drive corridor.