The Bronx’s Little Italy might feel like an outdoor piazza from the homeland once New York City enters into Phase 2 in the upcoming days. Currently, the Belmont Business Improvement District is cooking up a plan to close portions of Arthur Avenue to make way for in-street, outdoor dining on weekend evenings, according to the BID’s treasurer, Frank Franz.

Calling the concept one like that of an Italian mall, Franz says that many of the beloved, old world restaurants, delis, and stores on the avenue also will likely remain open later into the night than they have in prior, pre-COVID times.