In June 2024, Queens food halls including Tangram Food Hall and Queens Night Market introduced more than 200 additional outdoor seats. Operators cite rising foot traffic as a key factor.

Queens food halls have responded to summer demand by increasing outdoor seating areas. Tangram Food Hall in Flushing, Queens Night Market in Corona Park, and JMart Food Court in Elmhurst have expanded exterior tables since May. The additions are intended to serve larger crowds during warmer months.

Operators at Tangram Food Hall report that outdoor seating capacity grew from 50 to 130 as of early June 2024. Queens Night Market, held every Saturday, added 60 more picnic tables in its fenced outdoor area. JMart Food Court placed 40 folding tables along Dongan Avenue, pending city sidewalk permits.

Local business owners say the expansion addresses customer requests for more space and ventilation. “Many families prefer to dine outdoors in the summer,” says Ming Chen, manager at Tangram Food Hall. The food halls also noted ongoing indoor air quality concerns, which persist since the pandemic.

Regulatory steps include applying for temporary sidewalk café permits. According to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection records, two of the three food halls received approval in May. The Queens Economic Development Corporation advises operators about compliance and community feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Queens food halls expanded outdoor seating in summer 2024?

Tangram Food Hall in Flushing, Queens Night Market in Corona Park, and JMart Food Court in Elmhurst expanded outdoor seating in May and June 2024.

How many outdoor seats were added by these food halls?

Collectively, these three food halls added more than 200 new outdoor seats. Tangram Food Hall added 80, Queens Night Market added 60, and JMart added 40 tables.

Why are food halls increasing outdoor seating this year?

Food halls report increased summer foot traffic and customer preference for outdoor dining. Ongoing concerns about indoor air quality have also contributed to the decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Queens food halls expanded outdoor seating in summer 2024?

Tangram Food Hall in Flushing, Queens Night Market in Corona Park, and JMart Food Court in Elmhurst expanded outdoor seating in May and June 2024.

How many outdoor seats were added by Queens food halls in 2024?

Collectively, Tangram Food Hall, Queens Night Market, and JMart Food Court added more than 200 new outdoor seats since May 2024.

Why are Queens food halls increasing outdoor seating this year?

Food halls report increased summer foot traffic and customer preference for outdoor dining, along with ongoing concerns about indoor air quality.

How much did Tangram Food Hall increase its outdoor seating in 2024?

Tangram Food Hall increased its outdoor seating from 50 to 130 seats, adding 80 new seats as of early June 2024.

Did Queens food halls need permits for new outdoor seating?

Two out of three food halls received temporary sidewalk café permits from the city in May 2024 to expand their outdoor seating areas.

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