By Sabina Mollot
To drink or not to drink — that is the question surrounding Stuyvesant Town’s 5 Stuy Café, which recently reapplied for a wine and beer license.
As Town & Village reported last month, the café filed an application but then swiftly withdrew it after management asked its operators for time to review the proposal.
Since then, the café, with management’s blessing, has reapplied for a license to serve wine and beer and there will be a town hall on the subject for residents on Wednesday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 449 East 14th Street. The application will also go before Community Board 6’s Business Affairs and Street Activities Committee (which has an advisory role) at a meeting on April 25.
StuyTown Property Services announced the upcoming town hall in its weekly e-blast to tenants.
“If it turns out this is not something we should allow the operator to pursue, we will ask them to withdraw the application in advance of the Community Board meeting,” Rick Hayduk, the property’s general manager, wrote.
While the café’s customers aren’t typically asked for resident ID when getting a coffee, rules involving alcohol consumption will apparently be a lot stricter. In an FAQ document, management said alcohol purchases must be made by a resident or guest with the resident they’re visiting present.
Additionally, no alcoholic beverages will be allowed to leave the café or its patio. Hours alcohol will be available will be from 11 a.m. to 30 minutes before closing and only one glass of wine or beer may be purchased at a time per patron. To keep sound to a minimum, Stuy Town is working with an architect on some sort of structure to be built over the patio.
Asked about the plan, Hayduk told Town & Village that the early response from residents has been “extremely favorable,” while noting residents will have a chance to weigh in on it at the town hall.
As far as the proposed policy for proof of residency, Hayduk added, “This is residential amenity space and has always been for residents and their guests similar to the ice skating rink.”