How Patio Dining Enhances Restaurants
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Connection
A well-designed patio can be a game-changer for restaurants, offering an inviting outdoor space that enhances the dining experience, increases seating capacity, and attracts more customers. During its recent renovation, the Dogwood Restaurant in Vinton, Virginia, recognized this opportunity and transformed an empty lot into a stylish patio.
To create a fluid transition between the patio and their new dining room and bar, The Dogwood’s owners chose to incorporate an ActivWall Folding Door and an ActivWall Folding Window, both designed in a 2L-2R configuration. These units are constructed with thermally broken aluminum for maximum energy efficiency and feature horizontal mullions, which complement the restaurant’s modern industrial aesthetic.
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Folding Door: The 13′ wide and 9′ tall door opens up fully, making it easy for guests and staff to move between spaces and letting in natural light and fresh air.
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Folding Window: The 12′ wide and 4′ tall window serves as a convenient pass-through for food and drinks and creates additional bar seating outdoors for guests who want to enjoy the sunshine.
By integrating ActivWall’s innovative solutions, The Dogwood has created a space that is not only functional but also visually striking.
The Power of Outdoor Dining
If you’re a restaurant owner looking to enhance your dining space, consider the benefits of patio dining and seamless indoor-outdoor integration. Patio dining has become an essential feature for many restaurants, offering numerous benefits such as:
Expanded Seating: More tables mean the ability to serve more guests, especially during peak dining hours.
Increased Revenue: Outdoor spaces provide additional opportunities for food and beverage sales.
Enhanced Ambiance: Guests enjoy the fresh air, natural light, and an open atmosphere, leading to more extended stays and higher check averages.
Seasonal Appeal: In pleasant weather, a well-designed patio becomes a prime spot for dining, attracting customers looking for an alfresco experience.
ActivWall’s custom Folding Doors and Windows are designed to fit your unique aesthetic while improving functionality and guest experience. We would love to create a custom system for you, so click the button below to connect with a sales rep and learn more.
See the Folding Window and Door in Action
About Dogwood Restaurant:
Opened in 1948 as Vinton Restaurant, and later renamed Dogwood Restaurant in the 1960s, this location at 106 East Lee Avenue has been a popular gathering spot for residents and visitors alike. In 1994, the established business was purchased by Keith Poff, who later brought in his childhood friend, Jamie McCarthy, as the general manager in 2011. McCarthy became a partner in 2019 when the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) awarded a grant to the town that would aid in a restaurant expansion. The project took significantly longer than expected due to pandemic-related closures and supply chain delays from 2020 to 2022. However, progress resumed, and the newly expanded Dogwood Restaurant opened its doors and patio to the public in February 2025.
Acknowledgments:
Story by ActivWall. Photos by ActivWall and contributed by the Dogwood Restaurant. Videos by Jennifer Doss. Patio and fire pits by Blue Valley Hardscaping. Historical information sourced from Vinton Magazine.
