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Logo by Miggs Burroughs

For Immediate Release: November 5, 2020.  The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a new initiative,  BYOB - Bring Your Own Blanket, as a way to aid restaurants with outdoor dining in the cooler months.

Backed by the Town of Westport, lawn signs have been placed around the community heralding this program and a video featuring Selectwomen Jen Tooker and Melissa Kane will be posted on social media to aid getting the word out.

European restaurants for years have given out blankets to patrons to keep them warm while eating alfresco in cooler climates. This initiative is a pivot on that concept to address issues with Covid by having people bringing their own blankets instead.

"It's getting cooler out there and this is a way to keep people warm and still dining out," said Matthew Mandell Executive Director of the Chamber. " Many people are continuing to choose to eat outside and with the rollback to Phase 2.1 we are hoping this concept will be embraced and succeed."

Recently Covid cases have begun to spike in Connecticut and Governor Ned Lamont as created a new executive order creating Phase 2.1 which rolls back from Phase 3 decreasing the indoor dining numbers from 75% to 50% in capacity indoors, puts a maximum table seating at 8 and requires restaurants to close dining at 9:30pm, while still allowing takeout and delivery beyond that time. This order begins tomorrow, Friday November 6th.

Castlekeep Advisors sponsored this initiative and Miggs Burroughs once again designed the logo for the Chamber.

"One of the good things to come out of the 2020 pandemic experience is the expanded ability for Westport restaurants to offer outdoor dining, and Westport diners have responded with overwhelming enthusiasm," said First Selectman Jim Marpe.  "BYOB is a terrific way to “keep the party going” through the winter months while supporting our great local restaurant scene."

More information and a list of restaurants offering outdoor dining can be found at www.westportwestonchamber.com

Attached - Lawn Sign and photo of Selectwomen  - Video link included above

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