As Philly restaurants struggle, the city is testing two free streetery designs at LOVE Park

Philadelphia restaurants are having a hard year. Thirty-nine restaurants in the city closed between January and June 2026, after 86 restaurants and bars closed across the region in 2025, Billy Penn reported. Owners described cheaper cuts of meat, lower prices, pay-what-you-can nights and smaller footprints to stay open. National Restaurant Association figures put operating costs up 36% since 2019, the outlet reported.

One thing the city controls is where restaurants can seat customers outdoors. Two streetery prototypes, outdoor dining platforms built in a parking lane, are set up at LOVE Park near 1501 JFK Blvd. The city wants residents and restaurant owners to try them and fill out a survey by Nov. 23 at 11:59 p.m. (city page).

What the city is testing

According to the city:

• The two designs were installed Oct. 6 under Mayor Cherelle L. Parker's PHL Open for Business executive order. They are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The survey is reached by a QR code on the tabletops. It asks about safety and comfort, appearance, seating and layout, and how the structures fit the street.
• After reviewing feedback, the city plans to offer both designs free for restaurants to download. Restaurants can still submit their own designs for city approval.
• The effort involves Parks and Recreation, the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems, the Streets Department and the Commerce Department. The city's Dine Outdoors Philadelphia program oversees sidewalk and parking-lane dining.

The city does not say whether a ready-made design would lower permit costs or speed approvals.

What our records add

Council approves sidewalk cafés address by address. Our records list 39 bills since January 2024 authorizing a sidewalk café at a specific address. Each one is a separate ordinance. All have passed without a "no" vote. By primary sponsor:

• Mark Squilla: 16
• Jamie Gauthier: 9
• Curtis Jones Jr., Anthony Phillips and Jeffery Young Jr.: 3 each
• Mike Driscoll and Kenyatta Johnson: 2 each
• Quetcy Lozada: 1

Separate bills authorize individual streeteries. Our records show three since 2024, including one on South 3rd Street and one on Richmond Street.

More are moving now. Jones's Bill 260692, which adds locations where sidewalk cafés are allowed, passed 16-0 on Oct. 22 and is with the mayor, along with café bills for 4201 Manayunk Ave. and 544 E. Girard Ave.. Another, for 2655 S. 18th St. (Bill 260830), is on the Streets and Services Committee agenda for Nov. 9.

The citywide rules changed too. Rue Landau's Bill 251022-A, which revised sidewalk café standards and requirements, passed 17-0 in December 2025. Squilla's Bill 260533, on enforcement and remedies, passed 17-0 in June. In 2024, Landau's Bill 240331 changed the streetery rules and passed 17-0.

None of these bills deal with the cost pressures in Billy Penn's report, such as food prices, delivery app fees or rent. Where and how restaurants can seat people outside is a piece the city sets in its own code.

What's next

• Through Nov. 23: try the LOVE Park prototypes and take the survey. The city says the prototypes will stay at least until Thanksgiving.
• Nov. 9: Streets and Services hearing, including the South 18th Street café bill.
• Mayor's desk: Bill 260692 and the two café bills await action.