Cary’s downtown outdoor dining setup returns

Cary’s popular downtown outdoor dining setup, initially created to assist businesses during the pandemic, is officially back.

Known as “Alfresco Alley,” the setup is the same as it was in 2020, when many municipalities, including Cary, decided to allow outdoor dining in public spaces.

Decorating Spring Street will be lights, picnic tables and planter boxes, all part of an effort to make an environment welcoming to business owners, residents and guests, Village Administrator Jake Rife said.

The return of “Alfresco Alley” also means that Spring Street from West Main Street to Cary Street is closed.

“This was popular, and it was successful last year, and we expect it to be the same this year,” Rife said.