Streatery conundrum: Is parking or outdoor seating more of a draw at restaurants?

The City of Seattle is rolling out a new pilot program allowing restaurants to build “streateries.” A streatery creates an outdoor eating space in the place of a parking spot, but some wonder which is more valuable.

“You’re taking away parking,” said Ron & Don Show host Ron Upshaw. “I’m sure restaurants in town lose business because someone is driving around trying to find a space and is like I was going to go and spend a lot of money at this restaurant, but I literally can’t find a space. So I’m out of here.”

Ron said it’s happened to him where he’s had to abandon his dining plans because he couldn’t find parking in the area.

Co-host Don O’Neill agrees and said he often makes his dining decisions based on where he knows he can find a place to park.

“There’s all kinds of restaurants I would like to try, but I don’t go there because I have my car, so I end up going somewhere where I know I can actually park.”

The new streatery program will allow restaurants, for a small fee, to use the parking space to serve customers during their business hours. During non-business hours, the space will be considered a public parklet.

The city is now accepting applications for new parklet and streatery sites. They will select 15 streatery locations as part of the pilot program.

Would you rather have a parking spot or a streatery?