PORTLAND, Maine — As the weather gets cooler, restaurant owners will now be able to expand their indoor seating.
"That's really good news. That's a step in the right direction," said Timber Steakhouse owner, Noah Talmatch.
Governor Janet Mills announced Tuesday, restaurants and other indoor service venues can increase capacity limits to 50 percent of permitted occupancy or 100 people. Whichever is less.
The order starts on October 13.
"As winter approaches, we have to continue this important balancing act. We need now to ensure the businesses who were able to operate outside safely during the summer months, are able to continue operating as the weather gets colder," Mills said.
While the owner of Three Dollar Deweys is happy restrictions are loosening, he said his restaurant won't benefit from the announcement because half of his permitted occupancy is more than 100 people.
"We'll end up laying off people who've been working outside. We'd really like to be able to open up at 100 percent," said owner Joe Christopher.
He said having extended outdoor seating has been great, and said he will keep it until people won't use it anymore.
"We haven't had one sick teammate the whole time, so we're pretty excited that it's all been working out and sales are up. People are getting out and having fun," said Christopher.
Stage 4 of the state's reopening plan also anticipates a reopening date for indoor service at bars and tasting rooms on November 2.