Getting Fancy with Outdoor Dining
The City of Melton’s outdoor dining options continue to expand.
The owners of wine bar and eatery, Fancy Things have sacrificed on-street parking so that they can extend the style that they have become known for, while offering their customers a new space to enjoy a summer cocktail or two.
Fancy Things has become a favourite for locals looking for a more upmarket bar experience.
With excellent service, lavish decor and award-winning cocktails, Fancy Things was one of the first City of Melton venues to expand its outdoor dining options in response to COVID-19, and has activated its new ‘parklet’ in its own unique style.
The parklet - adjoining the piazza at Vascada Place - takes the form of a cocktail deck, elegantly furnished with potted trees, cocoon chairs and lean-tables. It’s a fitting place to experience the newest form of outdoor bar this summer.
In the last 12 months the food and dining sector in the City of Melton has undergone more innovation and development that it has in the last 20 years, as locals adjust old habits to suit a new COVID normal.
“The parklet experience is also offering a number of different lifestyle improvements for us as well,” says Fancy Things proprietor and Caroline Springs resident, Zoe Jones.
“The parklets have encouraged us to stroll amongst the restaurants instead of driving.
“And so many of us who used to drive to the local shops to get milk now have more hours in the day available as we work from home.”
Fancy Things is one of a number of local restaurants and cafes which have taken advantage of Melton City Council’s Expanded Outdoor Dining program, which offers assistance to businesses developing outdoor eating areas on and around their premises. In most cases, these are taking the form of parklets or footpath dining booths.
Another example is the soon-to-be-completed strip of parklets which will line Caroline Springs Boulevard in front of Central Shopping Centre.
The parklets combine high-quality aesthetic appeal and function, and are purpose built to increase dining capacity for local businesses while attracting more customers to the area.
The trend toward outdoor dining fits with the place-making movement worldwide, which places emphasis on designing streets for people rather than cars. While the construction of parklets decreases on-street parking spaces, the trade-off is in the chance for businesses to offer more of their services, and increased visibility.
Fancy Things is having an official launch of its new parklet space this Thursday, February 11 from 6pm. Get in on the fun at 6/11 Commercial Road, Caroline Springs.
Randi Wagner
Place Engagement & Activation Officer