To the Editor:

Princeton’s business community has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. We thank the town’s leadership for working with us during this difficult year and are especially grateful for the temporary arrangement on Witherspoon Street that has allowed us to keep serving our customers. 

For business owners on Witherspoon Street, this summer’s outdoor dining experience has been a first. While it was dictated by necessity, we have found that the move from a street that is congested with cars and delivery trucks to one where people can enjoy convivial al fresco dining has been received well by the public.

We would like to see a flexible street that allows one-way access to personal cars, delivery, and service vehicles at set times, but also allows closure at other times, to make a safe outdoor space for people, for meeting friends and for community building.

A people-friendly street design, augmented with trees, good lighting, and tasteful decoration, would make Witherspoon Street even more beautiful, and would make a fitting approach to historic Nassau Hall. Indeed, a low-traffic Witherspoon Street can become a destination for visitors, which benefits local businesses, as has been the happy outcome of similar redesigns in Jersey City and Somerville.

This letter is supported by business owners of: Alchemist & Barrister, House of Cupcakes, Purinsu Ramen, Tandoori Bite, La Mezzaluna, Public Wine & Spirits, Elements, Mistral, Homestead, Hinkson’s, Mike’s Barber Shop, Planted Plate (opening soon), and Stonefield Engineering.

Property owners: Balance Enterprises, 28 Witherspoon Street; Peter and Lorraine Mocco, 32-36 Witherspoon Street; Michele Moriello, 25 and 23 Witherspoon Street; Beth Rota, owner representative, 66 Witherspoon Street; Helena May, 300 Witherspoon Street; Andrew Mangone, 28 Spring Street; and Aubrey Haines, 23 Witherspoon Street.

Frank Armenante
Owner, Balance Enterprises and the Alchemist & Barrister Restaurant & Pub for 48 years
Witherspoon Street

Writing on behalf of the business owners listed above.