Members of the Mayfair Civic Association raised questions about proposed new restaurant and bar.
The future plan for the building located at the northwest corner of Cottman and Brous avenues was the main topic of conversation at the Nov. 20 Mayfair Civic Association meeting.
The building was previously occupied by the Teamsters, but has since been purchased by the HLK Group LP. This building will now be divided into five subdivisions and is expected to become the home to several different businesses.
The management group from one of these expected businesses made a presentation to the civic association.
Voix, an American-Asian fusion restaurant and bar, expects to open its doors for business in Unit 1 next June.
This will be a two-story, dine-in restaurant with a liquor license. There will be a bar located on the first floor, with several different rooms on the second floor that will include a spot designated for karaoke.
There is expected to be a total of 75–80 seats in the restaurant.
The restaurant is expected to be open until 10 p.m. on weekdays, but will be open from noon to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Those in attendance had a number of concerns with the new business and tried to get as many answered as possible.
Donny Smith, Mayfair Civic Association president, explained that this was an “over-the-counter” property transaction, and the group had no say.
Upon hearing of the hours of operation, those in attendance wanted to know if this was going to be designated as a “nightclub,” but those representing Voix assured it is going to be specifically a dine-in restaurant and bar.
The property has fewer than 20 parking spots located on its premises, so concerns were raised of where the customers will find parking.
The parking spots on the property are set to be specifically for employees of the business, but Voix will be providing a free valet service that will take customers’ cars to the parking lot located at 2842 St. Vincent St.
This lot is owned by the HLK Group, but it has granted Eastern Plaza LP the right to use its 100-plus spaces. The parking lot is located in front of a supermarket, but Kelly X.
Huang, managing partner of HLK Group, stated the restaurant will “have close to full use of the parking spaces since peak business hours for the properties will not coincide.”
Members of the civic association still raised concerns that this will only increase traffic at the intersection.
Voix representatives also stated they anticipate hiring members of the Mayfair community.
At the conclusion of the presentation from Voix, members of the civic overwhelmingly did not feel comfortable with the expected restaurant, so Kevin Haney proposed a resolution.
Haney’s resolution stated, “Given these circumstances, the membership of the Mayfair Civic Association wishes to state publicly via this resolution that it is OPPOSED to the issuing of a restaurant liquor license and amusement permit to Philly Premier Group LLC by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.”
Haney’s resolution passed near unanimously.
This alone does not mean the restaurant is to be halted, but states where the civic association stands on the proposed Voix.
The Northeast Times will continue to follow the status of the restaurant.
In other news:
• The application for outdoor storage of pigeons at 2954 Magee Ave., on the same lot with an existing single family dwelling, was opposed by a majority of the Mayfair Civic Association.
• Members opposed an application for the erection of one accessory wall sign to a proposed salon/barber shop and boutique store, with retail sale of beauty supplies, on the first floor at 3200 Cottman Ave. A single family dwelling would be above.
• Mayfair Business Improvement District executive director Marc Collazzo urged those in attendance to “like” its Facebook group to stay up to date on everything happening on and around Frankford Avenue.
• Mayfair Memorial Playground will be hosting fundraisers via Yankee Candle and Modell’s Sporting Goods, with the details located on its Facebook page.
• Nance Kerns, of Friends of Pennypack Park, said clothing, paper, batteries and printer cartridges will be accepted at Lincoln High School on Saturday, Dec. 16, starting at 9 a.m.
• Starting on Thanksgiving, the Mayfair Christmas Decoration Contest began. Prizes donated by Mayfair Business Association members for the three best decorated homes and businesses will be delivered on Dec 20. Homes or businesses can be nominated on the Mayfair Civic Association website or Facebook page. ••
