As the owners of Reboot Arcade & Bar in downtown Dunedin, Florida, my wife and I have felt the increasing strain of the current city ordinance that restricts our outdoor dining services to close by 11 pm. Unfortunately, this policy affects not just us, but all businesses in the downtown area, significantly limiting our ability to flourish and serve our community.

Downtown Dunedin has a vibrant nightlife scene that is a critical part of our city's culture and economy. Many patrons frequent our establishment and others late into the night. Restricting outdoor dining hours to end by 11 pm impedes this thriving culture and negatively impacts tourism revenue for the entire city.

Outdoor dining has become even more essential during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many customers preferring the open air as a safer way to enjoy their nights out. Cities nationwide have taken steps to extend outdoor dining hours, recognizing the lifeline it provides to local economies. It is high time Dunedin follows suit. 

In a 2019 national survey by National Restaurant Association, about 70% of participants noted that they would dine at a restaurant late-night if they had the option, indicating significant consumer demand for extended service hours. Yet, our current local ordinance simply does not allow us to tap into this demand.

This petition seeks to challenge and change this ordinance. Our goal is to establish a fairer system that permits businesses to operate their outdoor dining facilities past 11 pm, in accordance with proper noise-control measures and respect for residential areas. We believe this flexibility would be a step forward in supporting business growth, maintaining Dunedin's vibrant culture, and satisfying consumer preferences in our beautiful city.

We are asking for your support to take this issue to the Dunedin City Council. Collectively, we can urge the council to extend the outdoor dining hours and help small businesses like ours survive. Your signature can make a huge difference and help preserve the unique charm of Downtown Dunedin. Please, sign and share this petition. Let's make Dunedin an even better place for both business owners and patrons.