Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
In the past 10 days, we've seen a handful of East Village establishments set up curbside structures in this new Outdoor Dining era.
Per 2023 City Council legislation, roadway dining operates seasonally, from April 1 to Nov. 29. The revised regulations stipulate that roadway cafes must now be open-air, easily portable, and simple to assemble and dismantle.
At Book Club Bar, owners Erin Neary and Nat Esten chose a more cost-effective route by renting a modified shipping container with four tables and eight seats. (Westville East on Avenue A also selected a container model — see photo below.)
Neary (below) provided some insights about the application process and why they chose this way to add seats outside the bookstore at 197 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.
What made you select this rental company — kef?
This company was ready to go. They are based in Ohio but store the containers in New Jersey.
They were primed and ready to work with the City's specs. They bring it, set it up, and take it away. They repair it over the winter.
Also, the shipping container floor panels pop up for cleaning, and there is space for drainage.
What is the cost, and what are you responsible for? Last week, Streetsblog reported that bars and restaurants could spend up to $35,000 for a setup in the roadway.
We pay the rental lease fee. The cost of our lease is $750 per month. We also pay the City's permit and license fees. [Book Club bought the tables and chairs.]
The setup is smaller than the curbside structure you had in recent years.
In years past, we shared our space with Kolkata next door, during COVID, when there were fewer restrictions. We would not have been allowed to share, nor would they have wanted to share the expense.
This time, the structure has a floor. We didn't have one last time, and there is a manhole that can't be covered.
Aside from coffee, tea and espresso drinks, Book Club serves alcohol. Will guests be able to bring beer or wine outside?
A fun surprise to us after they had accepted our application, the SLA said we had to file an alteration. We filed the permit, but needed one to file for the alteration. And we're ready to pay. As of April 1, we have conditional approval.
It's daunting, and it takes a lot of steps. I was impressed by the application site, which has a tracker that updates you on where you are in the process. I was willing to do it, but I understand why people wouldn't.
"We open our doors in the summer, and it flows into the outdoor space," she said, "It's inviting!"
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The larger shipping container dining structure at Westville East on Avenue A and 11th Street...
