Greek restaurant, bakery proposed for former health club property
GREENWICH — A new restaurant could be coming to the site of the former New York Sports Club off Lewis Street and Liberty Way.
The Planning and Zoning Commission began preliminary review of a proposal to convert the building into a Greek restaurant and bakery at its meeting Tuesday night. The large new dining facility would also take over the Sophia’s Costume Rentals, which would “go away,” according to the developer’s attorney, Chip Haslun.
The sports club operation has closed, a victim of the coronavirus pandemic.
The owner of the property at 8-10 Lewis St. is Cohen Realty, according to the planning commission files.
The planned restaurant could have several hundred seats, according to the de
velopment team, as well as a bakery operation. The Kyma restaurant group, which has locations in New York, would operate the food-service facility and offer Greek cuisine.
“We’re hoping this will fit in with downtown,” said Haslun, the lawyer representing the proposal. He said the restaurant would add to the “vibrant” atmosphere along the nearby Greenwich Avenue in the town’s central business district.
The sports club had been operating from the commercial site since the 1980s. The old building was once used as a stable for horses.
Sophia Scarpelli, owner of the vintage clothing store at the site, said she was distressed by the possible loss of her lease.
“I may be forced to find a new location sooner than later, and not be able to celebrate my 40-year anniversary here,” she wrote about the restaurant proposal. “This will cause severe traffic problems and parking issues to an already existing nightmare . ... What happened to supporting small local business in town?”
The Planning and Zoning Commission is looking to get more information on how the operation would fit in with the town’s zoning regulations because there are specific requirements on where restaurants can be located. The issue of parking will also be scrutinized during the review process, the commissioners said. A site visit will also be arranged.
Chairwoman Margarita Alban said the commission needed to look at “how the floors work” and what zoning regulations would apply to the project.