Village Tavern Outdoor Dining SRA ApprovalDecision
Extension of Premises for Outdoor Dining - EPOD-24-8
Address of Project: 2 EAST INDIA SQUARE
Meeting Date: May 8, 2024
Members Present: Grace Napolitano, Christine Madore, Cynthia Nina-Soto, Dean Rubin
Members Absent: Christopher Dunn
Decision: To approve the outdoor dining area as shown in Scenario 4 of the April 25, 2024, memo from Kate Newhall-Smith to
the SRA with an extension of the space along the area extending toward Essex Street. This extension shall
encompass only minimum area necessary to accommodate a host stand.
Referenced Plans and Documents:
- Application package submitted by Alex Ingemi on February 27, 2024.
Memo to the SRA from Kate Newhall-Smith, dated April 25, 2024.
Communication to the SRA from Andrew Ingemi, received May 7, 2024.
Conditions of Approval:
- Validity of Approval: This approval is valid for two years from the date of the meeting. The approval shall no longer be valid if a substantial use
and/or construction has not commenced except for good cause within this two-year period.
- Consistency with Approved Design/Plans: Should the applicant determine that the project may not be completed as presented and conditioned
herein, he/she/they shall return to the SRA to review proposed modifications prior to making any changes in the field.
- Umbrellas, if used, shall be unbranded with no logos.
The applicant shall install the outdoor dining area as depicted below.
Queuing for the restaurant may not encroach upon the open walkway around the fountain, it must be contained within the permitted outdoor dining
area.
Findings:
- The Authority found that the proposal, as presented and conditioned herein, is consistent with the design standards, guidelines, and regulations in
the Downtown Renewal Area and the City's Outdoor Dining Policy.
Signature of the SRA: By the signature below, I certify that this recommendation accurately reflects the actions of the Salem Redevelopment
Authority Board.
Tom Daniel, AICP, Executive Director Date Signed: June 13, 2024
Walkway
to
Restaurant
Pl
a
n
t
i
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g
B
e
d
Fountain
= Light Pole
Existing Patio
Restaurant
= Bollard
Planting Bed
Planting Bed
Scenario 4
Total area is 1,036 sq. ft.
5 tables with a total of 20 seats
each
Ma
l
l
Host
Stand
Design Review Board Recommendation
Extension of Premises of Outdoor Dining - EPOD-24-8
Address of Project: 2 EAST INDIA SQUARE
Meeting Date: March 27, 2024
Members Present: Paul Durand, David Jaquith, Leeann Leftwich, Catherine Miller, Elizabeth Murray, Marc
Perras, Sarah Tarbet
Members Absent: None
Decision: Recommend approval of the project as presented and conditioned herein.
Referenced Plans and Documents:
- Application package originally submitted on 2/27/24 and subsequent additional documents submitted during the
review process by Alex Ingemi and Andrew Ingemi.
Conditions of Approval:
- Consistency with Approved Design/Plans: Should the applicant determine that the project may not be completed
as presented and conditioned herein, he/she/they shall return to the DRB to review proposed modifications prior to
making any changes in the field.
- The owner shall install the outdoor dining area with the following conditions:
The existing white lattice fencing shall be painted black.
Rather than fencing along the edges bordering the fountain, the applicant shall install chains between the
posts rather than the lattice fencing.
The boundary of the outdoor dining area that directly borders the fountain shall be offset from the fountain by
at least four (4) feet to allow for pedestrian movement around the entire fountain. The applicant may use black
lattice fencing with the flower pot bases around the outer edge of the dining area.
Signs related to the boundaries for alcohol consumption shall be installed pursuant to requirements from the
Salem Licensing Board, the Salem Police Department, or any other official, department, or entity enforcing liquor
license requirements.
Findings:
- The Board found that the project as proposed and with the recommended conditions is consistent with the design
standards and guidelines in the City's Outdoor Dining Policy and the Downtown Renewal Plan.
Signature of the DRB: By the signature below, I certify that this recommendation accurately reflects the actions of
the Design Review Board.
Paul Durand, Chair Date Signed: May 30, 2024
Patio with black lattice and plain red umbrellas
Subject Area:
The public land leading from Essex Street to the Front Door of the Village Tavern; bordering the public
fountain on the left, and the unkept and broken landscaping to the right.
Dear SRA,
In response to the recent hearings regarding the future use of our patio, we would like you please keep these
points in your decision-making process.
1.) Quantifiable Losses to our Business: In the months of November, December, January, February, and
March the Village Tavern, like many Salem restaurants, experiences losses. In 2024 we are starting
with a $150,000 loss from the winter. Foot traffic to Salem is notoriously low during colder
winter months, and therefore it’s critical that our restaurant maximize its appeal to warmer -
month patrons. Our current outdoor dining patio is a much -loved feature of The Village Tavern.
Our dog friendly, family friendly patio serves as a special way for guests to enjoy a dinner and
beverage al fresco while observing the unique blend of Salem’s visitors passing by. Reducing or
limiting that patio space would be hugely detrimental to our restaurant, whic h has arguably
become a draw for people to Salem. The revenue generated from our patio goes back into the
city through taxes, (1% of all Gross Sales) these funds help support city priorities. Last year our
full patio (to essex st) consisted of $651,516.88 net sales from June – Nov. Taking away our
outdoor dining past our patio proper would cost us roughly $325,000. That money is used for fixed
and variable costs that keep the restaurant sustainable in the winter. Additionally, taking away the
patio space would also take away $65,000 dollars from our servers in potential tips, and of course we
would be employing less people as we don’t have the tables.
2.) Lack of Future use plan:
Based on our current understanding there is no urgent or pressing plan to fill the existing patio, but only a
potential future use of this space. Our ideal scenario is the opportunity to use this space while there is no
functions or events occurring. We ask for 24-hour notice, in which we can clear the space for any event
that may happen. There is no permission requested from us, simply notice so we can make the space
available to you. We are simply asking that while the space is not being used, we can keep our patio
tables open there. This agreement gives the city back control over the space yet enables us to keep our
business thriving.
3.) Our contribution to the Great city of Salem:
The Village Tavern has been engrained in the city and has been serving the public for over 12 years.
As a consistent member of the Salem Chamber of Commerce in very good standing, and as a business
that staffs over 100 employees, we have shown ourselves to be a consistent and amicable business. In our
time in operation, we have participated and helped hundreds of charitable organizations with
generous donations, gift cards and local sponsorships (over $30,000). In essence giving back tens
of thousands of dollars to the public. We have taken pride in the goodwill we have created and
will always pledge to continue to do so. Therefore, we ask you not to completely take away the
patio space which will damage a local and loved business.
4.) Consider using other available public space:
Why dismantle a workable and energetic use of the land to return it to a space offering nothing to
the public, when there is other space available to consider. The biggest and best use for the subject
area is not to keep it open for potential public's use, as it's neither a park, playground nor anything
attractive that would cause a person to patronize the area. It's basically an open walkway that allows
people access to enter the only two businesses. (Portrait/Photography Studio, and the Village Tavern).
Please consider using other open fully available spaces, such as the Tourism Center park , the
Common, and Derby Street Park in the immediate vicinity.
We are asking the SRA to come up with a fair Compromise. Please Refer to Draw ings A-B-C
A. This Drawing shows the area the city approved us for during the last four years giving us full access
and visibility on Essex Street and a welcoming path leading to the Village Tavern.
B. Drawing B shows the proposal to cut us back to; allowing no direct access from Essex Street and
returning the valuable patio space to be used for one-off town events.
C.Let’s compromise and satisfy all of the SRA's concerns about public access to the fountain and
our concerns of having direct access and visibility from Essex Street.
In exchange for approving plan "C" (SRA Proposal 5) or our original proposal we offer to repair and
maintain all the cement, brick and landscaping that has falling in disrepair over the last 20 years, and to
which has not been adequately serviced by the city to the degree a landmark of this magnitude should be.
Please refer to pictures depicting broken bricks, cracked concrete, dead dangerous trees, and failed
landscaping beds; all of which the Village Tavern is offering to repair and maintain.
We want what’s best for the Village’s Locals, Employees, and Tourists – we also want what’s best for Salem –
We think a compromise of beautifying this whole area and making it the best it can will serve both the SRA’s
goals and the Village who has been a brick and mortar staple downtown.
Beautification can be overseen with all approvals coming from SRA if they would deem appropriate or another
Salem Association of their choosing.
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