Leesburg Movement requests sidewalk dining program be expanded

By Audrey Carpenter

Expanding the sidewalk dining program on South King Street this summer in downtown Leesburg to Saturdays was brought up as an idea supported by Leesburg Movement at the Jan. 23 Town Council meeting.

The Leesburg Movement is an all-volunteer independent 501c3 chapter of the Main Street America program. The core group of 10 residents and business owners of the historic district are working to further the economic and cultural vitality of downtown through outreach and advocacy.

John Papp, a board member, said the organization recently surveyed 40 business owners about the idea. Currently, the sidewalk dining program only occurs on Friday nights. Papp said the survey showed more than 80% of downtown business owners and 85% of their customers supported the closure of South King Street to vehicle traffic on both Friday and Saturday evenings.

“The vast majority of people loved the idea,” Papp told the Council. “We just feel it would be a great benefit to the community.”

Other business owners would like to expand the road closures to other streets, Papp added. Expanding seating outside generates income for wait staff and for restaurants, and the pedestrian-friendly atmosphere drives visitors downtown.

Papp proposed that the expanded closure happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

In 2020, Leesburg began regular closures of South King Street between Loudoun and Market Streets. On Friday and Saturday evenings during the warmer months area became pedestrian-only, and some Restaurants moved extra seating outside. Last year the Council decided to scale back the closures to Friday evenings only due to budget constraints.

The Council will consider the addition of Saturday nights again at a future meeting.