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Bed-Stuy's First Official Sidewalk Cafes Could Pop Up This Summer

 New sidewalk seating is set to open at Eugene & Co., Pilar's Cuban Eatery, and Stonefruit Espresso + Kitchen.
New sidewalk seating is set to open at Eugene & Co., Pilar's Cuban Eatery, and Stonefruit Espresso + Kitchen.
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BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — With summer in full swing, Bed-Stuy residents may soon be able to dine outdoors.

The neighborhood’s first official sidewalk cafés could set up shop in the coming months. Brooklyn’s Community Board 3 approved outdoor seating Monday for three businesses — Stonefruit Espresso + Kitchen, Eugene & Co. and Pilar Cuban Eatery.

At least one Nostrand Avenue restaurant already has outdoor seating in warmer weather, according to employees and locals.

However, there are currently no legal sidewalk cafés in Bed-Stuy, community board members and Department of Consumer Affairs representatives said.

Businesses require proper city licenses for sidewalk dining.

New seating for Eugene & Co. at 397 Tompkins Ave. will be housed under an awning along the exterior of the farm-to-table restaurant, according to owner Tara Oxley.

Both the Tompkins Avenue spot and Pilar Cuban Eatery on Greene Avenue will serve alcohol outdoors with six tables and 12 seats, and seven tables and 14 seats, respectively.

Some board members asked Eugene & Co. owners to revise their sidewalk café hours of operation to end an hour earlier than the 10 p.m. proposed closing time, citing possible noise during weeknights.

Still, the restaurant received support from CB3 without changes to its original application.

Stonefruit Espresso + Kitchen, which opened in April at 1058 Bedford Ave., will offer sidewalk seating along Clifton Place through 6 p.m. The coffee shop’s menu includes avocado toast, grapefruit bundt cake and matcha green tea lattes.

The restaurants' applications still await review from the City Council and Department of Consumer Affairs.