Pickle’s leaves a sour taste

For several weeks now, pedestrians on South Allen Street have had to navigate around the dining/drinking deck that is obstructing the sidewalk in front of Bill Pickle’s Tap Room. If more than two people have to pass, they must step into the street to do so. Is this safe or is it an accident waiting to happen?

This outside dining/drinking is only for the establishment’s benefit of making a few more dollars at the expense of hundreds of people who walk by it daily. How long before every other merchant in town begins to demand similar use of the sidewalk to sell their wares or service on a daily basis?

If outdoor dining is desired, the owner needs to find another location where it will not impede pedestrians. Better yet, how about closing off that block of South Allen and creating a pedestrian mall? This idea has been talked about for many years. The few parking spaces lost will have negligible effect on businesses.

But for now, approval of this obstruction needs to be revoked. The sidewalk should be dedicated to the purpose for which it was intended — walking, not moneymaking.

This story was originally published September 3, 2017 at 8:45 PM with the headline "Pickle’s leaves a sour taste."