LOWER EAST SIDE — Ludlow Coffee Supply is seeking to expand its offerings to include booze and extend its hours after nixing its backroom barber shop.
The coffee shop at 176 Ludlow St., run by proprietor John Seymour of neighboring comfort food joint Sweet Chick, is one step closer to successfully changing up its business model after scoring an approval from the local community board's State Liquor Authority subcommittee on Monday to serve wine and beer and push its hours from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The barber shop that had occupied part of the storefront has closed since the spot first opened in March 2016.
A handful of community members showed up at Monday's meeting to express concern over the transition, pointing to loud noise and crowds they say spill out of Sweet Chick late at night, and dismay at the addition of another licensed establishment in an already-saturated area.
"Here we go again — it's just going to attract nightlife," said Diem Boyd, noting she often patronizes the existing coffee shop. "We need your coffee shop, we love your coffee shop. To add this other element to a neighborhood that's already drowning... we hope there would be some stipulations on this."
Several neighbors echoed the concern, stating they were concerned about the presence of another bar on their block that would draw a late-night crowd.
"You can't imagine what it's like at night," said Tom, who lives on the same block as Sweet Chick and Ludlow Coffee Supply. "I've seen really violent scenarios erupt. I've seen people charging doors to get in, getting arrested. I've seen all kinds of vomiting."
The subcommittee did tack on some stipulations to their approval, including installing soundproofing to the building, restricting sound to background music only, with no DJS or live music, and forbidding lines forming outside.
The subcommittee also ultimately shaved an hour off Seymour's requested closing time of midnight, instead penning an approval for an 11 p.m. close.
Seymour agreed to the stipulations and assured community members that adding wine and beer to his shop's menu would not turn it into a nightlife destination, though seemed unsure if he could appease all community members.
"We're not planning to do a club, so the noise will probably be similar to what it is during the daytime," said Seymour.
"We'd like it to be a neighborhood spot. Are we going to satisfy every single person? I don't know. We hope to, but I don't know about that."
Ultimately, the State Liquor Authority will determine whether the coffee shop gets a license.
