Evening Star Cafe Receives Approval for New Patio

Evening Star Cafe is getting more outdoor seating.

The Alexandria City Council approved a permit on Saturday to add 30 new outdoor seats in the patio area next to Planet Wine.

Evening Star Cafe and Planet Wine, which both sit under the Neighborhood Restaurant Group umbrella, may install a retractable canopy or other shelter over the patio.

NRG purchased the patio and the two buildings next to Planet Wine in 2011.

Evening Star currently has 20 outdoor seats on the south side of the building.

The addition of 30 seats on the north side would increase the total number at the restaurant and attached lounges to 150.

The approved application included a requested parking reduction of 13 spaces.

Speaking at the Alexandria Planning Commission hearing on Oct. 2, Star co-owner Stephanie Babin said the restaurant will continue to look for available off-street parking. Babin said she had discussed the possibility of obtaining parking behind the post office at the corner of Howell and Mount Vernon avenues, but said that off-street parking spaces in Del Ray remain difficult to secure.

The city’s Department of Planning and Zoning received numerous letters of support for the restaurant’s proposal.

“It’s a nice addition to the neighborhood to receive more seating outdoors,” Planning Commissioner Eric Wagner said at the Oct. 2 hearing.

The Del Ray Citizens Association voted last week to support the proposal but requested that the total number of outdoor seats be limited at 40 and that the Star provide a bike rack for at least six bikes on Howell Avenue.

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