By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
EAST VILLAGE — A new restaurant is preparing to open in a long-dormant corner property along a nightlife-rich strip of Avenue A.
The restaurant, which operators pitched as the Mexican-style eatery El Camion when they went before the community board in May seeking a liquor license, is starting to take shape at the corner of East 12th Street after a fire ravaged the building more than four years ago.
A peek inside the unfinished space reveals the establishment will have a small bar and plenty of seating, though a person familiar with the project remained mum on more details regarding the opening.
The man, who was listed in online records for the restaurant's corporate company but declined to provide his name, did confirm that the emphasis will be on food rather drinks, and that the space would close no later than midnight or 1 a.m. on weekends.
The operator's hesitance to speak further about the new venture comes after Community Board 3 recommended rejecting their May bid to secure a liquor license transfer from the space's previous tenant, citing "overwhelming" community opposition and the spate of existing bars in the immediate vicinity.
Residents of upper Avenue A, which is dominated by bars and restaurants, have long complained about late-night noise coming from the establishments on their block, even waving signs at the May board meeting reading "Northern Avenue A Says Enough."
Because of CB 3's recommendation against the license and a letter of opposition from a local block association, the restaurant's application has been elevated to the State Liquor Authority's board for consideration, an SLA spokesman said.
The man familiar with the new restaurant said that he understood CB 3's stance, saying, "the idea of the community board is about doing the right thing for everybody. It's all part of the package."
A string of messages on one user's Twitter account did hint at what's come at the space, mentioning tacos, margaritas and "the best sangria ever."
The person familiar with the project declined to comment more on the theme of the restaurant or its planned opening date, but construction at the site appears to be nearing completion.
