East Hampton Bar Car, a cafe and wine bar, is to open at the Long Island Rail Road station in East Hampton, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the future establishment’s operator.
The M.T.A. held a board meeting Wednesday at which it acted on its finance committee’s recommendation that a lease be awarded to Holden Rosen Grupp, a real estate developer and entrepreneur who the Transit Authority said has built out retail establishments elsewhere that include a cafe and ice cream factory. Mr. Rosen Grupp, according to the M.T.A., plans “a dynamic, dual-purpose beverage and snack bar that transitions throughout the day to cater to different customer needs.”
Mr. Rosen Grupp told The Star this week that he plans “a very tasteful, curated menu” as well as grab-and-go items for L.I.R.R. passengers and, “in the evening, a place to hang in a historical setting in East Hampton.”
The M.T.A. issued a request for proposals in November 2024 for the 1895 station building, which was renovated in 2018. Two proposals were received, but the high bidder withdrew the proposal “after determining that it was too high,” according to the M.T.A. That left Mr. Rosen Grupp, who proposed a starting rental of $24,000, or $39.15 per square foot, with $2,000 annual increases on a 10-year term. Mr. Rosen Grupp, according to the M.T.A., plans $459,000 in improvements to the space.
He proposes a full build-out of the retail area, including a service counter and seating area, according to the M.T.A. “The interior design will align with the historic character of the station, using warm lighting, wooden accents, and classic signage,” according to an M.T.A. document obtained by The Star. “Installations such as retractable counters and adjustable seating will allow for smooth daily transitions.”
The station house “was beautifully restored,” Mr. Rosen Grupp said, “but it’s going to feel even more historic, tasteful, and welcoming. We were able to incorporate additional outdoor seating with the M.T.A. and L.I.R.R. It will be an excellent amenity to customers and passengers.”
For the cafe and wine bar to proceed, the Suffolk County Health Department will require a septic system upgrade, which is typically the L.I.R.R.’s responsibility. Mr. Rosen Grupp, according to the M.T.A., has estimated a cost of $80,000 to $120,000 for the upgrade. In lieu of the L.I.R.R. paying for the upgraded septic system, the M.T.A. will provide three years of rent credits, totaling $78,000, to compensate for the cost of the septic upgrade.
The L.I.R.R. has approved a portion of the ticket office for the tenant’s exclusive use, along with the non-exclusive use of a second restroom, which will be available to the retail customers and L.I.R.R. employees.
The Star reported last year that a tenant in the building must keep the waiting area and restrooms open for customers from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. If a tenant’s hours of operation include hours outside of those times and dates, the waiting room and bathroom must also be made accessible to railroad customers during those hours. Mr. Rosen Grupp said that the establishment’s operation could ultimately extend beyond Labor Day, perhaps even remaining open throughout the year, “but we’re going to start with summer and explore year-round operation.”
“We’re prepared to move as fast as possible, but it’s somewhat dependent on when plans get approved,” he said, citing the septic-system replacement and other permits. “It could happen this summer, but that could be very optimistic.”
