Restaurant owners in Farmingdale Village are laying out a plan to ensure a safe reopening once the lockdown is lifted.

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Restaurants on Main Street in Farmingdale have still been able to offer takeout and delivery during the pandemic. However, Joe Fortuna, who owns 317 Main and the Nutty Irishman, says business is down considerably. 

"It's not enough to pay bills, obviously. It's not enough to pay your overhead rent and all the other expenses that restaurants would normally have," says Fortuna.

Under Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to reopen New York, restaurants won't be allowed to physically open their doors to customers until phase three. Even then, the industry is expecting a limit on capacity around 25%.

Farmingdale has a plan that would allow restaurants to provide outdoor dining on Main Street in addition to indoor service once they're allowed to reopen. The village board approved a proposal that would shut down Main Street from Village Hall to the train tracks.

"We can get approximately 430 seats on Main Street strategically placed six feet apart in every direction," says Farmingdale Village Mayor Ralph Ekstrand.

Mayor Ekstrand says, while safety comes first, this is a necessity to help get small businesses back on their feet.

There will be a few more restrictions, including restaurants being required to take reservations, alcohol only sold as part of table service and patrons will still have to abide by whatever social distancing guidelines are in effect at the time. 

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