It’ a no brainer.
That’s what the many friends and colleagues who turned out to support local businessman Marc LaMaina in his bid to expand his popular Greenport eatery, Lucharitos, said as they rallied to advocate for his proposal at a planning board meeting Thursday night.
LaMaina first announced plans in May to add new space to the popular taqueria and tequila bar on Main Steet.
LaMaina came before the planning board last month to discuss the proposal, which includes 52 new seats, and a plan to cut out a portion of the wall and wrap the bar around in the new space. In addition, a merchandise section will offer Lucharitos’ signature salsas and barbecue sauce, apparel and luchador merchandise.
At a public hearing Thursday night, friends and supporters filed to the podium to speak out in favor of LaMaina’s proposal.
After Planning Board Chair Peter Jauquet said a letter had been received from the Claudios to be read into the record, Greenport resident Marilyn Corwin said if the Claudios had concerns about LaMaina’s dumpsters on her property, White’s Hardware, across the street, she had a solution.
“It that’s one problem that’s going to cause him not to open, this will take care of that problem,” she said.
LaMaina, she said, is a young man from Greenport who’s trying to build a business and raise a family. His restaurant, she said, is affordable and year-round, with both cocktails and delicious fare. “This is a no brainer,” she said. “He should be allowed to expand. Competition is good. It’s what made America great.”
Her comments were met with applause.
Lifelong Greenport resident Chatty Allen said after Sandy, when LaMaina’s business, Butta Cakes, was destroyed, he could have walked away and opened somewhere where flooding was not a concern. Instead, she said, he opened a business not only for tourists, but locals, too, year-round. “This is what you want in your village, someone who hires locals and has a family friendly atmosphere.” Despite her own financial challenges, Allen said, “I can afford to eat there. This is a no brainer.” Polling residents, Allen said the prevailing sentiment is LaMaina should be allowed to expand because his business is so popular it’s marked by constant crowds.
“My only objection to this expansion is the expansion it may cause me,” joked Doug Roberts, running for trustee in the coming election. “When the tide rises, all boats rise. This is good for all the restaurants in town.”
Resident Michelle Schott said affordable restaurants are scarce in the area. “You should be paving the way instead of putting up roadblocks,” she said.
Business owner Rena Wilhelm summed it up when she said simply, looking around the room, “We’re all in favor of it.”
After some discussion about trash, including an area in the eatery for cardboard and a new compactor, the board voted unanimously to approve the expansion. The room erupted into applause after the approval was granted.
LaMaina thanked all involved after the meeting. “I’m really floored and humbled by the community support; the hearing was standard protocol and everything went smoothly. The board was great and it was a pleasure working with them. We are really anxious to get started and create our vision. The paperwork is done and now it’s time to go to work.”
Last month, LaMaina said he’d like the addition to have the feeling of a beer garden, or a Margarita Garden.
He added that the hope is for a soft opening the first week in April and a grand opening the last Friday of April. “We’re just ready to start working again.”
