MONROE — Main street Monroe was at the center of many talking points at the Monroe Common Council’s Aug. 3 meeting with the approval of a drive-in concert and discussion regarding “streateries” in front of Baumgartner’s Cheese Store & Tavern in Monroe.

The council’s public safety committee brought forth the two topics last week, both of which were inspired amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses around the country are looking for ways to continue to operate while also keeping patrons safe. Main Street Monroe and Baumgartner’s are no different. 

The drive-in concert was unanimously approved by the council. It is set to take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Green County Fairgrounds. Patrons will listen from or directly near their cars, spaced out enough to allow for social distancing and other safety measures. 

The one-time event replaces the usual Concerts on the Square Monroe holds regularly each summer. The series typically draws large crowds to the Square which would make it difficult to follow social distancing guidelines.

While Main Street Monroe is looking for ways to keep the community involved both on and away from the Square, Baumgartner’s is looking to find ways to safely allow patrons to return.

“We’re trying to be really cautious with our being open during (COVID-19),”co-owner Tyler Soukup said.

After seeing Main Street areas in Freeport, Madison and Galena, Illinois, take on “Streateries,” Baumgartner’s owners Tyler and Chris Soukup came up with the idea of a Streatery area outside of the restaurant. Streateries have been popping up around the country as businesses aim to improve health and safety when serving food but utilizing parking spaces, or even part of the street, for an outdoor dining space.

The area would be on a raised platform to remain at curb level and would take up six parking spaces from Baumgartner’s to the southwest corner of the Square. It would have a covered top to allow for comfortable dining during inclement weather and a flower bed on the north side to further separate patrons from moving vehicles.

Because the project would have an estimated cost of at least $20,000, the Soukups hope to have the dining area available during summer 2021 as well.

The outdoor dining area will not only benefit Baumgartner’s, Tyler Soukup said. Having more people visiting downtown will help boost all of the businesses.

“We think it’s going to be really good for the Square,” Tyler said. “The outdoor seating has been really good for the Square. It adds to the ambience. The more of that kind of atmosphere we can create and the more comfortable people feel being downtown, the better it’s going to be.”

The Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee will discuss the matter further at its Aug. 17 meeting.