Thanks for the TRDO, @tattoodjay! I appreciate it. I recall that in one city here California, outside seating has become an issue, not because they were in the way of people walking the sidewalks, but the fact that the sidewalks are public property. Others in the community (and I suspect that those who started the petition to ban outside seating were from other food establishments located outside of the prime spots of heavy foot traffic) complained that restaurants are receiving gifts of public funds for the use of the sidewalks to generate income. It is a political issue for some cities.
Have a great Friday, my friend, and take care.