Hello, friends! We go before the Orangetown planning board on Wednesday, October 22 for a permit to serve wine. In our case, this will be the fulfillment of our original business plan: to enhance the bookstore environment with a glass of wine.
We are a bookstore, first and foremost, but as everyone knows, small independent bookstores can't operate the way they used to, by relying solely on book sales to pay overhead and meet payroll. American bookstores rely increasingly on sales of prepared food, gifts, and other sidelines, including wine, to bring in diverse streams of steady income. We first encountered wine service at a bookstore in Florence, Italy, and it wasn't a tiny place--it was more like the Italian version of Barnes & Noble! One big difference was the menu. In addition to pastries and coffee, the options included charcuterie, sandwiches, and wines by the glass. A menu featuring more savory choices as well as wine felt more full and inviting, and created a beautiful vibe of happy tummies and relaxed conversation, along with that ineffable, elevated spirit that only books can bring.
Right now, we are proud to offer excellent sandwiches courtesy of Patisserie Didier Dumas, made on their own bakery-fresh baguettes and including upscale fixings like seared steak, prosciutto and brie, and this week introducing a chicken BLT. Our pastries include great gluten-free and vegan options from the Alternative Baking Company and Sans Bakery NYC. And our beverages include "designer" selections like oat milk lattes from Great Lakes Coffee Company and Phony Negronis from St. Agrestis as well as easygoing favorites like Arizona iced teas and mini-Cokes. We are especially proud to feature other local businesses, selling honey from T & Buzz, whose hives are around the corner from the store, and custom chocolate bars from Chocolatier Matisse, located on Orangeburg Road. But we also have lovely little charcuterie packs from Olli, which would go great with a glass of wine--just like they serve in Florence.
We feel that Sparkill is as much of a gem to Rockland as Florence is to Italy--a relaxed pace, an ideal place for bright minds, community camaraderie, and artistic delight. The Sparkle wants to go on contributing to this unique Sparkill vibe, and wines by the glass will go a long way in helping us to do just that. So, please send us good vibes on Wednesday, October 22!
And should you like to attend to support us, please plan on arriving at the Orangetown Town Hall on Wednesday, October 22, around 7:20pm. Meeting starts at 7:30.
Thanks and be well.