Patio season has arrived

KINGSVILLE — After several weeks of dealing with takeout and curbside service, area restaurants were thrilled with being able to offer patio sit-down service to their customers.

On Friday, June 11, Ontario reached Step 1 of the Roadmap to Reopen and many patios in the area were ready for business.

Here, Patti Doll of Kingsville, orders her lunch on the patio at the Beach House Grill with waitress Olivia Kuhlmann, of Kingsville.

Sun photo by Deanna Bertrand

Opening Weekend a huge success!

The non-essential retail and restaurant patios were in full swing over the weekend as thousands across the region flocked to patronize their local businesses.

The photos on this page are only a small sample of the coming-to-life offered across Leamington, Kingsville and Wheatley.

If you’re going out to shop retail or dine on a patio, please remember these suggestions.

BE SOCIAL • BE PATIENT • BE RESPECTFUL • BE GENEROUS WITH TIPS • BE GRATEFUL

Pinstripes Ladies Fashions in Kingsville was ready, willing and able to help shoppers with their apparel needs. Tiffany Hamm, left, and Laura Jacobs greeted customers at the door.

Gabriele Floor and Home Furnishings was ready to swing into Step 1 on Friday morning, as their staff greeted customers. From left are Lee Jacques, Suzanne Ingratta (with Indie), Linda Pajot, Giselle Villalta, Dana Church, Sandra Policella and Kathy Gabriele.

Renny’s Smokehouse in Wheatley welcomed patio diners to their outdoor space on Friday with the start of Step 1 in Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening. Here, owners Erika and Mike Renwick pose in front of their patio.

Kristen Proctor of The Towne Emporium in Kingsville was eager to greet customers and offer great fashion choices for men and women.

Ernie Demarse of Ernie’s TV in Kingsville was happy with a bustling showroom as the store opened for Step 1 of the provincial reopening plan.

Peter and Sandra Courey were out Friday afternoon enjoying a delicious Mid-Eastern lunch at Firdous Lebanese Grill in Leamington.

Cured Craft Brewing Company in Leamington was alive with patio diners on the weekend and those diners were treated to great service by Josh McVeigh, left, and co-worker Emma Conley.

Area restaurant patios were hopping over the weekend and the patio at Freddy’s in Leamington was no exception.

Nat Milana of Milana’s Men’s Wear was there to greet customers as they arrived at his shop in Leamington.

Among the patio-goers on Sunday were Debbie and Aaron Wiebe, who found some shade and great service at The Main Grill and Ale House in Kingsville. Here, server Lindsey Stein takes their order.

Owner of the Beach House Grill, Patricia Bosco, is ready to seat customers on Sunday at the restaurant in Kingsville.

Julia Mucci, owner of the Chuckwagon in Kingsville, had her running shoes on as she helped wait on the eight outdoor tables Sunday morning.