The Williston Park Board of Trustees Monday night approved an application for a cafe located at 322 Hillside Ave.
The board unanimously voted on a conditional approval based on the final determinations from the village building inspector Kerry Collins, who was not present at the meeting.
Monday night was also the last meeting for Clerk Julie Kain, who is retiring.
Friends and neighbors filled village hall to support the cafe’s two applicants, Yvonne and Eric Lo.
“I’m here because I have seen the work she herself has done,” John Donlon said, singling out Yvonne Lo. “I support them 100% and hope everyone else does too.”
Eric Lo said finding the best location for the cafe was a five-year process and that their ultimate goal was to provide a cozy, safe and comfortable atmosphere for residents in the village within their own neighborhood instead of having to drive elsewhere.
“Our vision for the coffee shop would be like coming into your living room,” said Yvonne Lo. “We love this space because it is a great walking distance for a lot of potential customers.”
When asked about their backgrounds, Yvonne Lo said she is very involved with the Center Street PTA and that she is a member of the executive committee while also volunteering with Girls On the Run Long Island, which provides social and emotional lessons through physical activities.
Eric Lo, who works in wealth management, said he sees the cafe as a chance to be more involved in the community.
The cafe will be more focused on grab-and-go with about 10 high-rise tables or couches that can fit at most 40 to 60 patrons, Yvonne Lo said, although she doesn’t expect the numbers to be that high.
Weekday hours will run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. but the cafe will operate on a shorter schedule on the weekends out of respect for the store’s neighbors, Yvonne said.
“For the past 10 years they have been wonderful neighbors with a wonderful family,” said neighbor Michelle Darcy. “I think this would be great for our community and I thank them for wanting to add to our community.”
Before adjourning the meeting, Mayor Paul Ehrbar thanked Kain for her service for the community.
“She has done a fantastic job. People can see how a village is run if a tree were to fall down or when the garbage gets picked up, but people don’t tend to realize how important this office staff is and how important Julie is as well,” Ehrbar said. “She’s done a fantastic job for us.”
In unrelated village news, the annual Easter egg hunt will be on Sunday, April 2, at noon at Kelleher Field.
For the Williston Park Little League Opening Day parade, the route has to be shortened due to the number of Little Leagues in the area hosting parades and the need for Nassau County police to ensure safety for everyone marching in them.
The new route will start at Frantoni’s on Broad Street at 11:30 a.m. and go to Yale Street before ending at Kelleher.
The Next Williston Park Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Monday, April 17.
