Ten years after opening its doors in the heart of downtown Bel Air, Savona cafe and deli plans to mark its anniversary by providing outside dining, and imbibing opportunities.
The cafe and Italian deli, on the corner of North Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, will be the latest Bel Air business to set up a permanent outdoor seating area.
Owner Maria Boeri received approval from Harford County's Liquor Control Board to have serve alcohol outside, as well as indoors, where the store has long sold wine.
"What I am hoping for is to be able to have my patrons have seats and have a glass of wine, a bottle of wine, and watch the world go by on Main Street," Boeri told the liquor board Wednesday. "I have had people asking for that for years."
She said the business would have about five tables set up on the Main Street sidewalk, surrounded by a removable fence that would be taken down each day. The fencing would be similar to that at the Main Street Oyster House, she said. The latter is located two blocks south of Savona.
"I think it will just be such a great thing for the business and such a great thing for the town of Bel Air," she said.
The Town of Bel Air, which has to approve uses of the sidewalks by eateries, recommended the approval in a May 26 letter to the liquor board, member Thomas Fidler said, pending approval from Bel Air Police Department.
Boeri said interim Police Chief Jack Meckley gave her verbal approval. "He is all for it," she said.
Fidler suggested adding a trash can to the patio area.
Board Chairman Michael Thomson said Boeri should definitely be able to get five tables on the Main Street side of the cafe and said he hopes she can make the patio dining happen.
"I hope I can, because it really will help our business," Boeri replied.
The cafe is promoting special events June 1 through 6 to celebrate 10 years in business.
Other downtown Bel Air restaurants offer outdoor dining, though not necessarily drinking.
Main Street Tower added a patio in 2013, next to a new town parking lot completed that year. Sunny Day Cafe also regularly sets up outdoor tables on South Main. MaGerk's on South Bond Street has outdoor tables that are set back from the town sidewalk.