The impending holiday did not stop the Hopewell Borough Planning Board from meeting last Wednesday, July 3. Despite the short agenda, Board members gathered to conduct business including the approval of a new coffee shop.
Redevelopment Objections
Public comments were few but notable, as a former member of the Planning Board spoke for several minutes about the Hopewell 57 redevelopment plan. Although the plan had already been sent to the Council as “not inconsistent with the Master Plan,” the Lafayette Street resident echoed concerns about traffic, density, and the overall fit of the proposed new residential construction. Planning Board members thanked the individual for his service and commitment to the Borough before moving on to the only item on the agenda for the evening.
For more on this issue, see MercerMe’s coverage Hopewell Borough Council Deliberates Controversial Hopewell 57 Redevelopment.
New Coffeehouse in Hopewell Borough
Sharing his vision to serve high-quality, organic coffee out of the former barber shop on Seminary Avenue, Sam Page sought approval from the Board in a “completeness review.”
With a neighbor in attendance for support, Page outlined his plan to forego food and even tables in favor of a standing coffee bar reminiscent of a Parisian café in the French countryside. Even the name, Le Café, calls to mind a small, family-run coffee shop, which is exactly what the Page family hopes to bring to Hopewell. A Connecticut native, Page now lives on a Ringoes homestead with his wife, also a small business owner, and family.
Product will be sourced from a California importer of organic, biodynamically-grown coffee beans in the hopes of crafting the perfect cup as early as 6:30am during the week.
After unanimous approval of the Completeness Review, Le Café opens this fall.
