Narberth Council Wants Library Coffee Shop
The borough government would renovate and lease space, but the plan is in the early stages.
Narberth's monthslong conversation about whether and how to accommodate a traditional coffee shop among the borough's business district took a surprising turn Wednesday night as a plan emerged to add a cafe to the Narberth Community Library.
Councilwoman Heidi Boise, chair of the Property Committee, described a vision (illustrated in her own elaborate pencil sketch) of tables, chairs and umbrellas on a deck on the west side of the building, which has public wireless internet.
The borough could renovate some of the adjacent interior space, too, and sublease the whole corner to a private company.
"It's an idea we've had for a while," Boise said at the Borough Council caucus meeting, which took place across a municipal parking lot from the library.
Over the past year, dozens of residents have petitioned officials to consider relaxing per-business parking requirements downtown, in the hopes of making it easier for a coffee shop to fill one of the vacant Haverford Avenue storefronts. Unlike Boise, they had rarely, if ever, talked of a library coffee shop.
Still, petition organizer Miriam Shakow liked the general concept described to her Wednesday night.
"I think it's a great idea," Shakow told Patch via email. "I don't think it would necessarily fill the entire demand for a coffee shop in Narberth unless the space were large (big enough for at least 15 tables year-round), but it would be a terrific option."
Borough officials are in the early stages of revamping their zoning code to an undetermined extent. Boise said she did not yet know how that process will change the landscape for the pro-coffee-shop lobby, "but whether it's 'the' coffee shop or 'a' coffee shop (at the library), we want to make sure people are on board with the idea."
Council President Sam Quinn asked his colleagues Wednesday night, "Anybody not think this is a good idea?" No one responded. Narberth Business Association spokesman Ed Ridgway, the lone resident in attendance, also indicated his support of the plan.
Coffee shop or no coffee shop, the library needs renovation, including brick repointing, officials said. A tree will likely have to be removed behind the library, too, while the proposed deck would wrap around a second tree to be preserved, Borough Manager Bill Martin said at the meeting.
The borough can proceed faster on land-use plans involving its own properties, but the library coffee shop proposal remains in its early stages.
"I'm certainly optimistic it could happen sooner rather than later," Boise said.
The next discussion of it is likely not to be at Monday's regular council meeting but at the next Property Committee meeting, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 25.
isabel
8:38 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
First let me clarify that I am not a resident but babysit my grandsons and use the library and playground on a regular basis. I was at one time a professional librarian and I can tell you that I would not want a coffee shop in my library. Food, drinks and additiional trash/garbage are not good for any library. I also presume they coffee shop would be open a lot earlier than the library and there would be security issues for the materials. Finally, parking is already at a premium for playground users from the area and I would not like to compete with people spending their morning with a cup of coffee. From a retail point of view, you are taking customers away from the bakery and cheese shop which already have to struggle for customers because of the limited parking. Do you really need a coffee shop for the municipal workers or can they walk over to Haverford Ave.?
Ed Ridgway
11:48 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
There is no discussion about putting anything inside the Library. This conversation, in the earliest stages at this point, only considers an outside deck, and potentially inside space which is connected to, but not inside the library.
Ry4an Brase
9:18 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
I've been an advocate for a Narberth coffee shop in the past, and I still think one on Haverford would improve business for all retail along that stretch -- including the cheese co. at which I already shop a few times a week.
I also like the idea of a library coffee shop -- provided the operating hours are independent of those of the library itself. Having the library open on Sundays might not be possible, but I certainly hope the coffee should would be. Ditto for early and evening hours.
@isabel, I understand your concerns about the security of materials, but where I've seen this done in the past the cafe can be closed off from the library when the collections are closed, and it has worked very well. This library has one http://www.rclreads.org/about/locations/rcl-roseville and it has helped boost teen library use, and gives everyone a place to take a noisier conversation (or child) without disturbing other patrons.
NarbToon
10:14 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Seems to me the coffee shop belongs in the center of town on Haverford Avenue. If something is to go into the empty space next to the library, perhaps one of the insurance companies, one of the dry cleaners ("Narberth, a great place to get a stain"), or one of the thrift shops that are currently on Haverford Ave. would make more sense. As a friend jokingly commented after reading this story, "The library's a great place for an unsuccessful coffee shop." The renovation and use of that space is fine, but set it up for success. At the same time, a coffee shop for Narberth has always made sense. Put it in a place where people will actually use it.
Jim Speer
10:50 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
I'd hate to nudge out any of the thrift/consignment shops in Narberth. They do so much for thrift and re-use. And I think the market does well at regulating their numbers. Posh Girl and the Men's consignment shop are already gone. But Twice as Nice does really well, is well run, and I've gotten a ton of value out of it. The other high-end consignment shop I can't think of the name right now -- they've been there forever and must do well. The Hamper Shop is great too.
Jim Speer
10:43 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
I think this is a great idea! There's a lot about this plan that needs to be developed: Would the coffee shop be run by a real concessions business? Or would it be a self-serve coffeepot on a hotplate? Would people be allowed to hang out on the deck if they were not paying customers? Would people be allowed to bring in their own food - say from other shops - or order pizza and have a birthday party there?
Whatever the answers I think this would be a great addition to the park space. It would be so lovely for parents to have a spot to enjoy themselves while kids play. That section of the lawn by the library wall is kind of a dead space.
By the way, and I'm sure Heidi Boise has thought of this already: Could the deck be built to circle around the existing trees, instead of having to remove one?
Eric Campbell
12:10 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
On the last point, Jim: Bill Martin said at the meeting that the one tree is not salvageable regardless ... it'd need to be removed anyway.
maureen
10:55 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Concessions at the park would bring in a lot of $$ and would not compete with the downtown area.
Cindy Ridgway
11:18 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
I love the idea. Can't count how many times I've wished there was someplace right there to get coffee or a snack when I've been at the park for any number of activities, from the playground to sports to evening concerts. I think it would be a great addition to Narberth.
Narbtown2012
8:49 am on Friday, May 11, 2012
First of all, our TAX DOLLARS are going to put the borough in BUSINESS!?!?!? Is this ironic for anyone else besides me!? That is exactly what this would be used for is a business. Money exchanged for coffee and pastries. Where would this money go? Second, have you seen the gazebo? That thing is a disgrace because the teenagers of this town have vandalized it so badly. There is grafitti everywhere, sections of railing have been kicked out, broken, busted, and it has to cost a lot for this to be repaired every time it is damaged. This deck situation is another opportunity for the kids in town to reek havoc and cause damage. Third, isn't that building the girl scout room, not the library? It is connected to the library. Fourth, is this building even zoned for that use? The borough is always shouting off the roof tops that we need to Shop Narberth and support local businesses, but yet now the borough wants to add competition to the amazing shops that we already have!? News flash! The Cheese Shop sells coffee and pastries, the French Pastry shop sells coffee and pastries, and the Narberth Cafe sells coffee and breakfast. Walk Narberth people and walk yourself up into town and grab some coffee!
Jim Speer
8:52 am on Friday, May 11, 2012
Only some of our children reek.
ssf
12:27 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012
Narbtown 2012 should rename him/herself Narbtown 1912! This is a FANTASTIC idea! GO for it, and fast. It will not compete with downtown businesses - how many people walk from the park downtown to get coffee/snacks, most do without while there or bring their own and people will STILL go downtown - a cofee shop at the park does not wipe out need for Haveford ave., thats just silly.... This will only add to an amazing area that is the narberth field/playground. I see this being a giant success. What a wonderful idea. PS, there is not graffitt all over Narberth Park!
Iheartnarberth
9:17 am on Saturday, May 12, 2012
I know Narberth residents all agree a coffe shop is a fantastic idea. Town owned and operated? Not a good idea. It belongs on Haverford Ave. We have enough cars parked on both sides of the street at the library causing congestion; and does anyone EVER stop at the stop sign by the playground?? It's already a congested nightmare and I think the town should let a Narberth resident / private owner open on Haverford Ave. I know people who have tried. We need more interesting mom and pops, not a congested, gov't run mess.
Jim Speer
6:12 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
RE "gov't run,"I hear that the new Ludington Library will have a cafe in it. Maybe we'll learn something from seeing how that goes..?
There are also a number of coffee shops in SEPTA stations, like Wynnewood, Wayne, and I think Bryn Mawr. I believe those stations remain SEPTA property while contracting coffeeshop operations to independent operators.
Jim Speer
6:14 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Oh I meant to mention also: The opening of a coffee shop area at the library should not preclude opening the business district to coffee and other kinds of shops. I think it's a decent idea on its own merits.