Board Reserves Decision on DPA Applications

The Babylon Village Board is reserving decision on two applications related to food and drink service operations pending further review by the planning and architectural boards.

Rolf Heineman hopes to open a breakfast and lunch establishment at the former Babylon Paint and Hardware location on Deer Park Avenue, offering commuters, students and village shoppers what he says is a needed healthy eating option.

Heineman, who operates a computer service and software programming business directly across the street, believes organic and natural foods are in big demand and that his omelet wizardry will prove to be a winning menu option.

“I want to provide a healthy eating alternative, unprocessed foods and better quality food than what people can get for breakfast and lunch,” he told the board, boasting that he also happens to make the best omelets of anyone he knows.

The eatery would offer hot and cold food, from made-to-order breakfast and lunch, to prepackaged on-the-go options for commuters, high school students and early bird shoppers. He also plans to offer takeout and pre-order services using an online system. The establishment, tentatively named Tiffany's, would offer a room for group events, such as a family celebratory brunch.

“This is something the village needs,” he told the board.

Heineman also noted it could become a very popular Sunday morning eatery given only just one other venue is open at that time in the village.

Several board members seem to agree and complimented Heineman on his presentation. The project has some kinks to be worked out, including proper location of a grease track disposal unit on the property which is located adjacent to the historic Conklin House.

The second application, presented by Massimiliano Gargiulo, owner of Solo Vino, is a wine and cheese bar at the current location of Gargiulo’s cabinet store at 45 Deer Park Avenue.

Gargiulo envisions a tasting environment that would give wine patrons cold tapas food options. He plans to have live music, provided by a single musician or duet, and seating for 22. There would be a seven-seat bar and several tables for two, he told the board.

“I’d like this to be a place where people come in and learn about wine and can try new wines and enjoy small plate food,” he told the board, explaining the goal is also to expand the customer base of his wine store operation. There would be no hot food served, he noted.

"By learning about wine and trying new wines I'm hoping they will then come back to my wine store the next day to purchase what they tasted," he explained.

The plan calls for the wine bar to be open seven days: from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 4 p.m. to midnight on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 12 noon to midnight on Sunday.

“I spend a lot of time in the village and often after the restaurants close around 10 or 11 there is no place to grab a small bite to eat so I think this will help provide that option as well,” he told board members, several of whom questioned the need for the tasting bar to be opened till midnight.

“It’s all about educating people about wine and helping people learn about wines,” he stressed.

The two presentations were made during public hearings last night held prior to the village board meeting.

Earlier this month the village board enacted a six-month moratorium on new dining establishments in light of the impending opening of a 265-seat restaurant at the former Bank of New York Building on Deer Park Avenue.

Neither of these applications, said village officials, would be prohibited under the moratorium as neither are full-service restaurant operations.