EASTON, Pa. — After locking down a special exception and variance from Easton Zoning Hearing Board on Monday, Larry Holmes Jr. may be on his way to a fall opening for Legends Cigar Bar.
Holmes was granted an exception for the proposed luxury cigar lounge — a zoning requirement because the location is within 1,000 feet of five other retail specialty establishments.
Easton Planning Commission heard the case for the special exception earlier in August, recommending the zoning board grant the exception.
"We've tried to lease the property unsuccessfully. We've tried to sell it. And the issue with the property is it's so unique."Larry Holmes Jr.
A few neighbors had concerns about potential problems, but by most appearances, Holmes’s proposed cigar bar may be the perfect fit for a property that has yet to find an ideal occupant.
“The building for years has faced several hardships in terms of being able to rent to a long-term tenant," Holmes said. "There have been several tenants there.
"We've tried to lease the property unsuccessfully. We've tried to sell it. And the issue with the property is it's so unique.
“It's 5,000 square feet and has a very unique layout and large kitchen, which isn't normal for most commercial uses. It's probably three times the size of any kitchen that you'll see in Downtown Easton.
"So we decided to come up with an idea that could give us a long-term tenant and provide something unique to the community.”
'It's more of a restaurant'
Holmes told zoners that other retail specialty establishments located near 154-156 Northampton St. are predominantly intended for customers to quickly buy tobacco products with the intent to use them off-premises.
Legends Cigar Bar will be more akin to a lounge atmosphere, Holmes explained, with the intent that customers can buy and enjoy a cigar with friends and other guests while watching live entertainment, enjoying small plates and so on.
"It's more of a luxury venue where people will come and enjoy and spend more time there in the city or in the property."Larry Holmes Jr.
"It's more of a restaurant in a sense, in terms of people can come in, they can purchase cigars," he said. "But it's not as transient.
"People are coming to relax, spend more than, you know, five minutes in and out buying a pack of cigarettes or a cigar. It's more of a luxury venue where people will come and enjoy and spend more time there in the city or in the property."
Holmes said the food will generally be light fare, such as charcuterie boards, or small snacks, outside of select special events in which a celebrity chef may be brought in for members.
Holmes also said he is pursuing a liquor license for the cigar bar.
A rotating cast of about 10 employees will work the location from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for members only, and 4 to 11 p.m. for the general public.
'Don't know what's going to happen'
Holmes described the establishment’s feel as “similar, but different” than Leaf, another Easton-area cigar bar, with a more luxurious aesthetic.
Zoners seemed comfortable with the concept from the start, but a handful of neighbors raised concerns about the potential for problems to pop up near the property.
Lisa Patino, whose property abuts the future cigar bar, said she was worried about a proposed back door that Holmes intended to use as a private, members-only entrance.
“It's just that my main concern is that alleyway, because we need access to our buildings," Patino said.
"And I just have nights when I'm there and I don't know what is ahead of us when you have alcohol, you have events, sometimes unsavory events.
"We don't know what's going to happen."
Larry Keiper, owner of Aura Ceramics & Supplies, said he was somewhat worried about the potential for rats if and when Legends would begin serving food.
"We just finally got all the rats out of there, and that’s where they were coming from, because there was no restaurants in there before,” he said.
Keiper said parking also could be an issue. He said he has had to tell people to move their vehicles from reserved spaces.
Exception granted
Zoning Hearing Board member Matthew Loebsack helped clarify the scope of those issues by repeating Holmes’s plan.
“It’s not like box trucks are coming every Monday with food," Loebsack said. "This is literally prepared for special events.”
Loebsack also suggested Holmes consider establishing a members’ contract that would dictate parking regulations and the potential for ramifications if not followed.
If all goes well, “we would like to be open by November, December."Larry Holmes Jr.
Upon Holmes agreeing to solicitor Robert Nitchkey’s suggestion for a code of conduct for members — particularly intended to address parking, which is relegated to the street — and that the condition is only applicable to the cigar bar, the exception was granted.
Holmes happily greeted and spoke with the individuals who questioned issues with the alley and parking following the meeting, and said his next step is to get demolition and construction permits for the property.
If all goes well, “we would like to be open by November, December,” Holmes said.
