Downtown Ithaca’s Aurora Streatery to open Thursday

ITHACA, N.Y. — The Aurora Streatery — downtown Ithaca’s outdoor dining area on North Aurora Street — will return this Thursday.

The Aurora Streatery allows restaurants on the 100 block of N. Aurora Street (locally known as Restaurant Row) to extend their outdoor dining areas to the curb of the street’s sidewalk.

Restaurants participating in the Aurora Streatery include Luna Inspired Street Food, Red’s Place, Mahogany Grill, and Simeon’s American Bistro.

The Aurora Streatery is expected to be available until mid-fall, weather permitting, per the Downtown Ithaca Alliance.

Aurora Street will be completely closed to vehicle traffic while the Streatery is available. The street closure allows pedestrians to “safely use the street as a walkway.” Detour signage will be posted in the area to help drivers navigate around the site.

“We look forward to once again hosting the Aurora Streatery,” Gary Ferguson, executive director for the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, said. “Closing Restaurant Row to expand outdoor dining during the warmer months benefits our community in multiple ways. Patrons will be able to enjoy safe and socially distant dining experiences in a relaxing outdoor setting and restaurants will be able to safely accommodate more diners while continuing to adhere to the State’s COVID-19 guidelines.”