Edited to include MTA response and commentary.

On the heels of a devastating year for the hospitality and restaurant industries, Italian and Middle Eastern mash-up restaurant Pomp and Circumstance (577 Lorimer Street) is now facing another impending roadblock, this time at the hands of the MTA.

Upon receiving news that the MTA plans to build a new subway entrance in front of the restaurant which will inhibit outdoor dining, Pomp and Circumstance is working to…

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  1. It’s always about “them”. What a sense of entitlement exhibited by the owners. The world doesn’t revolve around them. The MTA needs to construct this ADA-compliant elevator in order to make it easier for elderly people and those with disabilities, who are physically unable to use the station entrance stairs, to access the subway. When do the restaurant operators think is the optimum time to begin the construction because, according to their mindset, no time in the future would be convenient to them. So, this will affect outdoor dining. Indoor dining has been allowed since mid-March. They are able to seat patrons inside. That this construction will impact their plans for outdoor dining is just an excuse to increase their customer capacity. The outdoor seating permitted due to Covid safety protocols is only a temporary measure. Once the pandemic has been brought under control, the outdoor seating many establishments have taken advantage of will be removed because the structures/seating create an obstruction to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

    1. Joel, you’re just wrong about everything. You also have no compassion. Restaurants have endured an extremely tough year and they’re just asking the MTA to delay construction until after the busiest season.

      A few points you’re wrong on…

      “When do the restaurant owners think is the optimum time?”
      The owner clearly says after the summer, when outdoor dining slows down.

      “That this construction will impact their plans for outdoor dining is just an excuse to increase their customer capacity.”
      I mean, you’re technically right here, but you’re just a total dick. Restaurants have been operating at reduced capacity for over a year now. So yes, they need every table and seat they can get to run a sustainable business. It’s not really an excuse, it’s a necessity.

      “Once the pandemic has been brought under control, the outdoor seating many establishments have taken advantage of will be removed because the structures/seating create an obstruction to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.”
      Wrong again, Joe. The mayor and legislators have made it pretty clear that outdoor dining is here to stay.

  2. While I agree elevator access is important, it does feel like the timing and location could be a lot better. There is no business around the corner on the Metropolitan side, or directly across the street on the other side of Lorimer. Additionally, indoor dining is 50% capacity so the extra outdoor tables are pretty essential for a small restaurant. Even if it were 100%, many people are willing to eat outside but not inside right now (for good reason).

  3. We are just hoping to delay the project until at least fall. Considering the drop in ridership right now. Perhaps they can start one of the improvement projects at an intersection that does not have 2 restaurants on the corner first, considering how low ridership is right now. We welcome the elevator and the accessibility. There are already stairs on both sides of the street, they are looking to put in 2 additional stairways. My mother was in a wheelchair, and I know how difficult navigating public transportation is. We are asking for consideration in timing the improvements.

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