Babylon Board To Vote On OK'ing Dominican Eatery Amid Hookah Rumors

DEER PARK, NY — The Town of Babylon Planning Board will vote on whether to approve a business permit for a Dominican restaurant on Monday, following concerns from some in the community that it'll be a hookah lounge or gentleman's club — concerns that the new owners say are unfounded.

Dany Collato, owner of the restaurant Fogon, told Patch she has paid more than $40,000 to have her business up to code and approved by the Town of Babylon since she first applied for a permit last year. She also has paid rent since the beginning of her lease in September 2020, according to leasing documents.

Located at Grand Boulevard and Brandywine Drive in Deer Park, the restaurant currently has a storefront sign, but has yet to serve a meal.

A former takeout pizzeria, application documents said it will make interior changes to the existing multi-tenant retail building, creating a 25 seat Dominican restaurant, along with site improvements.

The previous business was approved for 16 seats, and adding more seats requires the town planning board to grant a special exception.

At a town board meeting March 6, Marcela Grenada, a representative for Collato, said the restaurant would open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weeknights and 11 a.m. to about 1 a.m. on weekends.

'Unsavory' Rumors Spark Outcry

A representative from the planning board said in a statement that the application is solely for a restaurant.

"There was a rumor going around that it was going to be a gentleman’s lounge, but that is not what the application is for," they said.

They also said that the application resulted from a stop-work order, claiming work was started on Fogon without permits.

"They also covered up the windows with decorative wood paneling," the representative said. "This paneling is being removed as part of this application, but it was raised as a point of concern from a resident I spoke to, and I’m sure has contributed to whatever rumors are circulating about unsavory uses/activities."

A stop-work order was issued July 26, Collato told Patch, and came as she assembled tables. She was unaware she had to be approved for a permit before making any adjustments. Three town representatives visited the store and told her to file an application.

They also suggested she expedite the process, she told Patch.

Since then, Collato said she has done everything the board has asked of her, conducting a traffic survey, parking survey, and paying an architect to expedite the process.

"The only renovation we've done is replace the kitchen hood," she said.

Collato said she's worked in the restaurant business since she moved from the Dominican Republic to the United States more than 20 years ago.

For seven years, she owned and operated Kisquea, a Dominican restaurant in New Hyde Park.

"My last restaurant, it was a family restaurant, takeout dining and delivery," she said. "That's the same thing that I want to do for this town."

At the meeting, several residents addressed concerns about the business, citing rumors that it'll be a gentlemen's club or hookah lounge in addition to the restaurant. Some expressed apprehension about the late hours, and hoped noise wouldn't disturb the community.

Sherry Levinson, of Deer Park, said at the meeting that a someone at the restaurant previously told her of plans for a hookah lounge.

"We want a Dominican restaurant, we look forward to a Dominican restaurant in our neighborhood, because we don’t have many restaurants, so we welcome that," said Levinson. "We just want to make sure that the community is safe."

Community members also asked if there would be enough parking spots in the shopping center, which also has a nail salon.

"I never signed a lease for a hookah lounge," Collato told Patch. "I don't know where they're getting this kind of argument."

Based off community concerns, Fogon will make revisions to its applications.

The meeting was extended to Monday, March 27, so the board can review the revisions, a representative said.

Collato's sister, Lilian Venus, also attended the meeting.

"We’re not going to harm the community, we’re here to serve," Venus said. "Our culture is very rich in a lot of things, and one of the main things is the food. And that’s what my sister has been trying to get for two years."

Most of their family, Venus included, lives in Suffolk County.

She told Patch she suggested Collato move her business from New Hyde Park to Deer Park, to be closer to her family. Now, she feels guilty to have put her through hardship.

"It took a financial toll on my sister," said Venus. "It's so unfair that she has to go through all this, and I feel guilty because I was the one telling her we all here on the island."

Yong Fang, who owns the building and other units within the shopping center, said he has witnessed Collato waiting for a permit.

"They're a nice family," he said. "They just want to open a restaurant."

If the business is not approved on Monday, Collato said she doesn't know what to do.

"I just hope they let me do what I'm good at, what I've been doing for this many years," she said. "Hopefully I can open my place soon."