Village Board Mulls Cupcake Storefront Proposal

Want a cupcake with that morning coffee? That might be a familiar phrase in a few short months if village officials approval a retail operation application that would bring cupcakes and other confections to Railroad Avenue in Babylon Village.

Garrison Gross presented his Cupcakes & Coffee plan to village trustees Tuesday night and an audience of four which included his partner and wife Jennifer. The other three attendees were local media reporters.

Describing the new retail effort as a "mom and pop" operation, Gross answered the few questions posed by trustees and said he's hoping to open by November 1.

A majority of the cupcake product is made at an offsite bakery and then sold at the Railroad Avenue storefront, which once housed a pet grooming business and is across from the railroad station and east of the high school. It will offer customers a 10-foot self-service coffee bar.

"I think this would be wonderful," said Trustee Alice Vanderveldt, who also noted the village expects tenants to keep a well-maintained appearance.

Gross expects to have seven to 12 part time employees and hours will run from 4:30 a.m., to reach the commuter crowd, up until 11 p.m. at night for the late after dinner crowd.

The board reserved decision and could vote on the proposal at its next meeting on October 9.