Warm weather leads to early patio season in Waterloo Region
As temperatures peaked above the 20-degree mark on Tuesday, some food establishments decided it was the perfect time to open their patios for the first time this year.
Four Fathers Brewing Co. in Cambridge welcomed diners throughout the day.
“We opened the patio today,” assistant general manager Lindsay Shields said. “It’s just been really nice weather coming up from Easter, so we decided why not celebrate and let everyone enjoy the weather.”
It’s more than a month earlier than the brewery typically opens the patio.
“Normally the weather is not nice until about mid-May, so that’s when we usually wait,” Shields said.
She added the warm weather typically means more business, as hikers on nearby trails trickle in.
That was the case for a pair of friends who ended up there on Tuesday afternoon.
“We went for a beautiful hike today at Rattlesnake Point and so we thought we deserved a beer afterward,” one customer said.
Shields said the restaurant is also planning a patio expansion this year, which will almost double the size of the existing space. That’s expected to be open by May long weekend.
Joey’s Doggs Certified Street Meat also opened their truck on Weber Street for the first time this year on Tuesday.
“This is, I think, the first time we’ve opened this early. Last year, we opened up in May,” manager Leslie Rito said.
She said they saw families and construction workers all throughout the afternoon.
“I think it’s kind of fun for a family to come out and enjoy the weather and enjoy a little bit of street meat. Who doesn’t like their hot dog on a nice, warm summer day,” co-owner Domenic Romeo said.
At Kitchener’s Moose Winooski’s, the patio has already opened this year, but things were busy during the lunch rush on Tuesday.
“This year was kind of funny because we did open up about a month ago. Then a couple of weeks ago we had snow,” general manager Joe Siasat said.
“We love to be the first and the only one in Kitchener to have their patio open when we do have that opportunity.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Helicopter carrying Iran's hard-line president apparently crashes in foggy, mountainous region
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
4 homes lost due to wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C.
A wildfire burning near Fort Nelson, B.C., completely destroyed four homes and damaged six more properties, according to an update from the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
French security forces work to regain control of airport highway in violence-scorched New Caledonia
Using armoured vehicles and backhoes to shove aside charred barricades, French security forces worked Sunday to retake control of the highway to the international airport in violence-scorched New Caledonia, shuttered because of deadly unrest wracking the French Pacific archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was 'truly sorry' and his actions were 'inexcusable.'