A pair of Ishpeming businesses are taking advantage of relaxed state rules on outdoor alcohol sales by increasing their service areas.

Cognition Brewery and Shelly’s Rainbow Bar, both on Canda Street in Ishpeming, have plans to expand their respective seating areas, a West End Focus feature detailed over the weekend.

Cognition will close off the one-way Maple Street with a large tent and up to 12 picnic tables, each with seating for six people while the Rainbow Bar will provide outdoor seating adjacent to the building on the corner of Canda and Maple Street, The Mining Journal story noted.

Both businesses have received Ishpeming City Council sign off.

The owners of both establishments said their goal is to keep customers safe in light of virus concerns.

“Our goal is to create an environment that will make everyone feel at ease. Being able to have an outdoor area until the end of October is an unexpected bonus and we hope it will be a big hit,” Cognition owner Jay Clancey told the Journal for the story.

This is a classic example of making lemonade from lemons. And, we believe residents and visitors alike will enjoy the outdoor atmosphere the venues will provide.

We expect it will be good for the customers and good for the businesses.