It's a huge milestone for Long Island restaurants. When phase two of reopening begins on Wednesday, June 10, they can offer outdoor dining.

Originally, outdoor dining was scheduled to begin during phase three, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo moved the timeline forward.

On Tuesday, restaurants in Northport were busy getting ready, preparing their space to meet the guidelines laid out by New York State.

Guidelines for outdoor dining include:

For more guidelines, click here.

Businesses along Main Street in Northport set up tables where they could in alleyways, patios and on the sidewalks in front of their doors.

Martoni Gourmet told News 12 Long Island that business has been down 90% since the pandemic hit Long Island. They have been able to remain open thanks to their shop, but are excited to have two tables out front.

"I got very hurt by this pandemic and on top of that I used to have three tables inside too. I can't have tables inside because the store is too small, so the only option is the two tables outside," said owner Nino Carusone.

 

Down on 25A, Vespa erected a giant tent in their parking lot where patrons can enjoy their menu once again.

Owner Michael Lomanto explained, "We need to just keep going and make sure business is flowing. What we are going to do is add another tent. We will have 80 seats and in front we are going to put high top tables. I'm building a bar outside too."

Vespa opened for the first time in Northport three weeks prior to the pandemic. They got creative to bring in revenue, creating a drive-thru for their brick oven pizza and movie nights in their parking lot twice a week, which will continue while outdoor dining is available.

Vespa and many restaurants are requiring patrons to make a reservation to avoid overcrowding. Before racing to your favorite local spot, be sure to call ahead and reserve a table!

---

For the past three months, Marianna Cucchi has made the most out of her soap sales with her Port Jefferson shop closed up -- but beginning Wednesday, she can finally reopen again.

"I feel like I am opening a brand-new store with a lot of changes," she says.

Shops, offices, real estate offices, restaurants and hair salons have all been shuttered for three months, but with new guidelines in place, they'll be back.

Origin of Era clothing boutique owner Renee Goldfarb says despite the limitations - which include sanitizing clothing that has been tried on - she can't wait to get back to business.

"It's really nice, not only to be open again, but also be face to face with our clientele again - which is a really great great feeling," she says.

West Babylon real estate agency office manager Lorraine Ferretti says only 50% of her staff will be allowed to return.

"We are going to make sure the common areas are cleaned twice a day, and after everyone leaves they will have to be cleaned once again," says Ferretti.

Real estate agents can get back to showing homes, however no one can actually be inside the home, and they must be sanitized before every showing.

2 days to Phase 2: Restaurants get creative in order to offer outdoor seating