From Desperation to Destination: Summer on Strong Thrives in its Sixth Season
By Melissa Karen Sances • Images Courtesy of Eastside Grill
Summer on Strong is one of Northampton’s defining events, featuring free music and al fresco dining every Thursday to Sunday from May to September.
But the summer-long party began as a Hail Mary.
“Summer on Strong started out of desperation because of COVID,” said Debra Flynn, owner of the Eastside Grill. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, restaurants across the nation were forced to pivot from indoor to outdoor dining. On Strong Avenue in Northampton, Flynn and her general manager, Robbie Bocon, had a vision: they’d close down the entire street so every establishment could serve their own customers in a parklike haven. It was at once a necessity — “social distancing” and masks were mandated by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker — and an ode to normalcy, where people could sit and enjoy a meal together, and, for at least an hour, the world wasn’t on fire.
Original rendering of Summer on Strong by Robbie Bocon.
A Community Effort
But the plan wouldn’t work unless the neighbors were on board, and Flynn and Bocon were met with resistance.
“It was hard to sell something that nobody had ever heard about,” said Bocon. The executive director of the Downtown Northampton Association, Amy Cahillane, encouraged the Eastside Grill to draw up a plan and submit it to the city. So with the help of Look Park’s then-director of facilities and maintenance, Justin Pelis, they measured the street to scale and tapped years-long business relationships to sponsor Summer on Strong on a wing and a prayer. (Pelis, now the executive director of Look Park, was featured in our May 2026 cover story.)
While their idea was a long shot, neither Flynn nor Bocon thought it would fail. “There were no ands, ifs or buts about it — this had to work,” said Flynn.
And it did. That first summer, people came in droves, desperate for a connection to their humanity and their community.
The New Normal
For the restaurants, there was no learning curve. Eastside Grill, Familiars Coffee & Tea, Homestead., Local Burger, Moshi Moshi and Progression Brewing Company “weren’t designed to operate out there,” said Flynn, where food had to be carried from the kitchen to the street, a physically demanding job undertaken with skeleton staffs.
The Eastside Grill even tapped its regulars to beautify the surroundings: “We brought an army to plant the whole street,” said Bocon.
“Now it’s like being in Central Park with tables and chairs,” said Flynn.
Rosie Porter of Downtown Sounds booked the music that first summer, which remains free and family-friendly from Thursday through Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. through September 15. Bocon said there is seating for participating restaurants as well as ample city-provided public seating. People are welcome to come and listen, and even bring their own food.
The Next Generation
After six years at the helm, Eastside Grill is handing the reins over to Isaac Weiner and Danny McColgan, the younger owners of Familiars. (Weiner and McColgan were featured in our June 2026 cover story.) “Everyone has their own style,” said Flynn. “It will be so cool to see how that will influence Summer on Strong.”
The event is a testament to the community’s resilience. “I think from the very beginning, Summer on Strong proved itself,” said Bocon.
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