LEXINGTON, Ky.— As the temperatures drop around Kentucky, some restaurants are finding ways to continue keeping their patio areas open longer because of the limited capacity allowed inside the restaurants. 

For J. Render’s Southern Table and Bar expanding their patio has been the key reason their restaurant has survived this pandemic. With winter around the corner, co-owner Gwyn Everly says shutting down the patio is not an option right now. 

“We've had a lot of discussions about buying a tent. And do we, you know, what do we do and so we felt that right now we were just gonna try to go with the heaters, go with the umbrellas we have because they're really big.” Everly said. 

Everly has placed heaters around the patio area as well as a few fire pits around the area for guests to enjoy. J.Render says that with all of the restrictions inside of the restaurant, the patio has been critical to keeping their doors open this year. 

“It has made a big difference. I'm not sure what it would look like for us if we had not had this patio, and I feel for our fellow restaurants that don't have access to all of this space like we did.” Everly said.

Everly and her husband will do everything they can to continue their business by following the CDC guidelines and asking for support from the community. 

“The winter is scary. We're all scared. So I'm hoping that you know we're worrying for nothing.” Everly said. 

J. Render's Southern Table and Bar will continue to keep the patio open as long as guests continue to sit outside.