Conway approves outdoor dining for next summer

Conway selectmen on Tuesday unanimously voted not only to extend the town’s outdoor dining permit past Columbus Day, but also to bring it back next year, starting Memorial Day.

Last May, they instituted their outdoor dining permitting process, administered by John Eastman, Conway Parks and Recreation director, in response to state pandemic guidelines that allowed restaurants to offer outdoor dining.

Making the request to extend the permits Tuesday were Wally Campbell, executive director of the 25-member Valley Originals and Rick Luciano, owner of Merlino’s Family Steak House of North Conway, a member of the Valley Originals.

“Without the outdoor dining approvals, many restaurants may not survive,” said Campbell, former longtime operator of Fandangle’s Restaurant, which burned in September 2007.

“We appreciate the outdoor dining, and we are kind of hoping, if it would satisfy…