May 15th, 2025

It’s patio season again!


By Lethbridge Herald on May 15, 2025.

Morley Dyck and other patrons have lunch at Telegraph Tap House's sidewalk patio Wednesday.

Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Now that Spring has sprung, many things are returning with the good weather, including flowers, birds, bees and outdoor patios and parklets at downtown establishments. The City of Lethbridge’s Outdoor Patios, Parklets and Street Vending program is back for its 2025 season, turning streets and sidewalks into lively welcoming spaces.  

“It’s a great thing for all the customers, they all look forward to it,” says Penny Coffee House Owner Jake Ramsdell. “We’ve been a part of the program since its inception and our customers do really enjoy coming out here in the summer and having fresh air and the nice summer sunshine.”

This program, which started as a pilot program in 2019, provides businesses with outdoor space to increase seating and create a more vibrant atmosphere for residents and visitors. Participating businesses can set up patios on the sidewalks outside their doors or in the street (parklets). Their patios can  be a tiny fenced-in single line of tables like at Stella’s Diner on 4th Avenue, or a larger grouping of tables with umbrellas like the Telegraph Taphouse. 

“It’s fantastic…our summers are short and we’ve got to take advantage of them,” says Morley Dyck, who was having lunch outside Telegraph Tap House. “This one’s pretty good. It’s nice because it’s not crowded and it’s a beautiful day.”

Conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic, as restrictions started easing and patrons were allowed to return to restaurants (with restrictions) in 2020, the patios and parklets program also allowed restaurants to space out their tables and seating. 

Ryan Squire, who owns Lighthouse Japanese Restaurant on 3 Avenue, opened up his patio four years ago after major road construction wrapped-up outside his restaurant. 

“It’s been a great addition to Lighthouse and other local businesses,” says Squire. “While there were some significant costs involved in getting it set up, we’re really happy with how it’s turned out. The patio brings a lot of life to this stretch of 3 Avenue, which used to feel more like a commuter route than a destination. 

For the 2025 season, fees for outdoor patios, parklets, and street vending have been reduced by 50 per cent. Full pricing will be implemented in 2026. This means businesses will pay half the usual fees for these outdoor spaces. The fees cover administrative costs of the program, lost revenue from use of parking stalls, and providing stall and parklet support for participating businesses. 

Tacos Made in Mexico owner Sarah Figueroa, who has been part of the program from the beginning, said she doesn’t mind the fees because of the support she gets from the city, and the enjoyment her patio brings her customers. She says she likes to imagine her customers enjoying the warmer weather and imagining they’re at a cantina in Mexico.

“I think that downtown looks very nice when everyone has their tables outside, and the customers feel free and relaxed,” says Figueroa “It’s good for them and also for us. It’s very nice.”

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