if permanent benches won't work outside Junction eating places...

Will removable furniture? This furniture outside Pusater's running along Bay St, is easily moved in and out I would think. Yes this author has a thing about street life.

Ladies and gentlemen, lets have  more Sidewalk dining in the Junction.

Let's go outside: benches for eating establishments front sidewalks

This image taken in a community very similar to the Junction in New York City Has two basic items for community social activity - the benches outside the cafe and it's "A" sign. Hopefully you can ignore the garbage can planters ...although it's something you could see in the Junction.

One invites you have a look what dishes on offer, without having to stare at a menu taped to a window and in the action be sating at the restaurants sitting patrons. The benches provide a great place to sit and partake of the food that the restaurant in a sort of take - stay around mode, where one can have conversations with passers by.

In the Junction this author gets a real feeling of movement created by the exterior design choices of the various businesses and the building owners, it is very difficult to find a place to just slow down along the Junction strip.