Molto Vino Presents Expansion Plans Before Village Board

The owner of wine bar Molto Vino presented his case before the Babylon Village Board last week during a public hearing at Babylon Village Hall on July 23.

"I am adding a few extra appetizers and getting more seating," said Molto Vino owner Massimiliano Gargiulo. "The application is to basically expand to the east, plus outdoor seasonal seating."

The plans Gargiulo did not differ greatly from those presented to the Babylon Village Planning Board earlier this year. Gargiulo told the board he plans to knock down the walls separating the current 19-seat Molto Vino wine bar from its next-door neighbors – the former Country Peddler and his own wine store, Solo Vino.

Gargiulo himself is one of the building's two tenants.

Board members expressed some issues with the business' plan to add an outdoor, back-of-the-property outdoor patio.

"My concern is the patio with the noise, with neighbors and tenants near by," noted trustee Debbie Basile.

Gargiulo downplayed the concerns, noting his intent to build a five foot wall around the patio to try and absorb any noise from the area.

"It's going to be a quiet, low-key patio," he said. "I'm not expecting to have a crowd - we'll keep the lighting dim, too... Wine is a lot calmer than a regular bar. It's not a lot of noise – sometimes it can happen."

Trustee Carol Amelia asked about the wine store's departure, especially if its elimination signaled its closure. Gargiulo told the board he had plans to move the business a few doors down to 55 Deer Park Avenue, the now vacant home of the recently closed Hesperus Antiques.

The board reserved decision on the matter, citing the need to review the plans further.