A gourmet sandwich shop came one step closer to opening on Charles Street on Wednesday when the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) Zoning and Licensing Committee voted not to oppose granting the necessary permits and variances to the prospective restaurateur.
At that time, the applicant outlined his proposal to convert an approximately 500 square-foot storefront at 120 Charles St. that was formerly home to Dakota Puffin Dog Boutique into an eatery called Eva’s. It would be primarily a take-out business, offering no indoor seating and only a small railing for customers to eat on the premises. The proposed hours of operation are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Eva’s would feature a small tabletop convection oven for cookies and other baked goods, but the applicant said there were no plans for frialators or any additional ovens.
In response to concerns about trash, the applicant said Eva’s would serve locally sourced bread, produce and other food items in an effort to produce less waste, as well as use biodegradable cups and straws made of corn.
The applicant agreed to enter into a standard “good neighbor” agreement for restaurants with the BHCA.
In another matter, the committee failed to reach a decision on a proposed shed dormer wath a single-family residence at 5 West Cedar St., with four votes to oppose granting the necessary zoning relief for the project, four votes not to oppose it and two abstentions.
The matter was previously discussed at the May 1 committee meeting, at which time the applicant withdrew the proposal and subsequently revised it after extensive dialogue with neighbors.
Committee co-chair Tom Clemens said the stalemate would be reported to the BHCA board of directors at its June 10 meeting. At that time, the board can vote to accept the committee’s position or to take a different stance on the proposal.
Meanwhile, Thomas A. Kershaw, chairman and CEO of the Hampshire House Corporation, which operates Hampshire House, Cheers Beacon Hill, Cheers Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 75 Chestnut, and 75 on Liberty Wharf, outlined his plans to open 75 on Cambridge at the former site of Grampy’s gas station at 209 Cambridge St.
Slated to open in the fall of 2014, the proposed 2,751 square-foot restaurant and bar would have a capacity of 114 and offer a similar menu to 75 Chestnut, which Kershaw said serves moderately priced comfort food. Its proposed hours of would 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, with earlier opening times on the weekend, Kershaw said. The committee didn’t vote on the matter, since Kershaw’s presentation was intended for informational purposes only.