The Farmingdale Board of Trustees held multiple public hearings at its recent meeting, one of which was regarding a new bar and restaurant that was met with some public opposition.
Architects Thomas Guarino and Thomas Fox, along with The Pour Authority’s owner, Rita Kumar, presented a 114-seat site plan to the board for a new self-service bar at 333 Main St., adjacent to the village hall, on Monday, Aug. 4.
“The idea is you walk in, you get greeted by the host, you put a credit card on file, they give you an ID card, you go up and you pour from the tap, and you get charged by the ounce that you pour,” Guraino explained to the board.
Each card has a limit of 32 ounces of beer, but people can continue to get new cards by checking in with one of the bartenders.
The bar will also feature a vegan and vegetarian kitchen, with a fast-casual menu, according to Kumar.
“Do you serve your own food, too?” Trustee Walter Preisetley jokingly asked.
Two village residents spoke at the hearing, saying they were concerned about the village’s parking off of Main Street.
“We don’t need another bar,” one resident said.
Another said they have been patient with all of the new businesses coming to Main Street but that they can’t park in front of their home due to spillover.
Kumar also said the bar is expected to play music, which residents in the village hall did not like. The village’s policy is that music cannot be played outdoors by businesses after 10 p.m.
Despite the public feedback, the board unanimously approved the special use permit.
One upset village resident said, “It’s that easy, huh?” following the board’s vote.
There is no expected opening date at this time as the bar is still under construction.
The board also held two other public hearings. One was a continuation of a hearing from a previous meeting regarding a special use permit for Notes, Sips & Stogies cigar shop and the other was to amend a local law titled ‘Trees and Plants.”
Both hearings resulted in unanimous approval by the board.
