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
She developed a passion for genealogy while finding her roots. Now she helps others find their own
Lauren Robilliard always knew she was adopted. As the B.C. native grew older, she developed a passion for genealogy, tracing her roots and paving the way for a career to help others find their own.
Papua New Guinea says landslide buried more than 2,000 people
A Papua New Guinea government official has told the United Nations more than 2,000 people were believed to have been buried alive by Friday's landslide and has formally asked for international help.
A cross-country look at beer and wine in convenience stores
By Labour Day weekend, Ontarians of legal drinking age could snag a six-pack at their local convenience store on the way to the cottage. But what are alcohol sales like across the country? Here's what we know.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
Are you a loud snorer? You could have sleep apnea
You'll have a lot more energy throughout the day if you get a good night's sleep, but not everyone does due to a medical condition.
'We were vetted': Sex-ed organization 'disappointed' over Higgs' comments
The head of a Quebec-based sexual and reproductive health organization says she's disappointed New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has deemed presentations she did in the province last week inappropriate.
Richard M. Sherman, who wrote songs for 'Mary Poppins' and 'It's a Small World,' dies at 95
Richard M. Sherman, who helped write the songs for 'Mary Poppins,' 'The Jungle Book' and 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' — as well as the most-played tune on Earth, 'It's a Small World (After All)' — died at 95.
Cyclone floods coastal villages, blows away thatched roofs and cuts power in Bangladesh and India
A cyclone flooded coastal villages, blew away thatched roofs and left hundreds of thousands of people without power Monday in southern Bangladesh and eastern India. At least seven deaths were reported.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.