What's Opening and Closing in Pleasantville

Pleasantville Building Inspector Michael Testa recently shared updates about several addresses in Pleasantville undergoing renovations, looking to open or recently closed. Here is a sampling:

1. Non-for-profit is  at 220 Tompkins Ave. Testa said LVP has received approval from the zoning board of appeals and plans to look for formal site plan approval coming up this month and will "work out little quirks" with an interior designer.

2.  on Bedford Road on a second-level addition, which Testa described as a "a glass atrium area." Renovations should be complete shortly.

3. 25 Wheeler Ave., which was formerly home to Jackson & Wheeler Restaurant, will likely be opened by its new owner as an Asian fusion restaurant by next year, said Testa.

4. The village's Recreation Center on Bedford Road has been mothballed and improvements are underway for the roof and windows. Testa said the heating system has been fixed and clean-up efforts are continuing.

5. Two Italian restaurants are coming to Marble Avenue. Read more about them .

6. The unoccupied building at 98 Washington Ave. is "one of our major eyesores in the village," said Testa. The building, located across from the , is being foreclosed by the bank, he said. "Right now, there is major damage inside that needs to be rectified," he added. In the meantime, the village is attempting to have a contractor put a fence up around the building to stop people from entering and vandalizing the interior.

7. The village is attempting to revisit the plans to renovate the Marble Avenue Recreation Center (formerly the Pleasantville Volunteer Ambulance Corps building), which carried bids higher than expected in the first round. Testa said the new proposal will include "substantial changes."

8. on Marble Avenue "more retail space," revealed Testa. The winery may also look to add a catering hall in the rear, as well as more space for wine in a lower level. Discussions about expanding will continue at Wednesday's planning commission meeting.

9.  may look to add an outdoor dining area in the rear of the building. "He is considering it," Testa said of Owner Paul Paljevic.

10. Capital Grill of 501 Marble Ave. recently finished renovations in the interior of the building, however Testa said, "They have closed down for some financial reason."

11. The village has received a proposal to add a hookah bar via a zoning variance at 503 Bedford Rd. (across the street from ). The address is currently vacant, Testa said.

"In an otherwise down economy, this has to be a statement of some optimism about our future in Pleasantville," commented Mayor Peter Scherer.

Agreed Testa, "This is probably the busiest we've seen our commercial base since I've been here."