We got a sneak peek at the soon to open Hawthorne train station cafe today. Here’s what we learned: It’s slated to open in 2-3 weeks, owner Gerry Petraglia doesn’t have a name for it yet, and it’s an attractive space that will be a welcome addition–and the most significant one in years–to Hawthorne’s train station area.
Petraglia is a 37 year old from Yonkers who lives in town, and has two small children. He’s a home builder with no restaurant experience heretofore, who decided to take on the train station building to give residents “something different in the area than the regular delis.”
He describes the concept as a “luncheonette-cafe,” and says the overhaul of the decrepit station building was massive–he’s on the hook for easily into the six figures.
“There was no plumbing, no heating, nothing,” he says. “Everything was our own penny.”
Hours look to be 5 a.m. through the evening commute, with wraps and sandwiches to go as well as seating for 15 or so. There’s a tidy little dining area facing the station, so you could sip your java on cold days such as yesterday, and run for your train soon as you see it lumbering into Hawthorne station.
One issue is parking. While I was lurking outside the space this morning, one of the Hawthorne Taxi guys wandered over to talk about the space. He expressed concern that there would be enough parking in a lot that obviously is filled each weekday.
Petraglia says the town is giving the cafe eight parking spots.
The front of the building, facing Elwood, features a long counter area. The dining room is on the northern side of the building.
A great looking dark wood ceiling–the cafe’s best feature–looms above it all.
“It’s something you’d see in Manhattan,” says Petraglia of his new venture, “not around here.”
Kudos to Gerry for investing…heavily…in Hawthorne.