Business & Tech

Village Board Reserves Decision on Wine & Cheese Operation

Molto Vino application is getting a second look after plan revamp.

The Babylon Village Board is reserving decision on an application for a wine and cheese bar following a public hearing Tuesday night in which the proprietor outlined changes to his original plans.

Proprietor Massimiliano Garguilo, who operates Solo Vino Wine Boutique at 43 Deer Park Avenue, has revised his initial plans and asked to explain the changes at a second public hearing.

The eatery, a "wine and cheese osteria," is still under construction but an awning has gone up. Garguilo has flipped the location of the bar and switched out tables for patrons for counters along the inside of the storefront. He is reducing patron seating from 22 to 19 and extending the bar a foot and a half to include a waitress service area. He is also seeking a full state liquor license to sell after dinner cordials for his planned dessert menu.

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The application, which initially got approval in April 2011, raised questions with board members concerned over using part of the Solo Vino space for the construction of a eight-foot-by-four foot bathroom for Molto Vino patrons.

The wine and cheese bar will not be directly connected to the wine store though a glass wall is being built between the two locations so patrons can view the wine store’s shelves.

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Trustee Tony Davida asked about the feasibility of using Solo Vino store space for the -operation’s bathroom.

“What if you close down the Solo Vino store and whoever rents that space now may want that bathroom space which is in their location,” he asked. Trustees advised Garguilo to discuss the potential outcome of that scenario with his landlord.

Board members also reiterated that live music could only include one performing musician and advised Garguilo to extend his operation hours from 4 p.m. to midnight to 11 a.m. to midnight in case he decided to open for lunch in the future.

“Otherwise you’d have to come back here [for another hearing] to get permission for that,” noted Trustee Debbie Basile.


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