The building which housed Neko Sushi on the corner of Chestnut and Main in New Paltz has been vacant for some months, since a sewer line broken during construction next door prompted the owner to sell. It’s now being reported that it will become the second location of the Poughkeepsie-based Lola’s Cafe. Local real estate investor Matt Eyler wrote on his Facebook page, New Paltz Properties, “It will serve healthy locally-sourced sandwiches, soups, salads, wraps, ‘bowls’ and the like. As with their other location . . . overall, a business plan similar to Main Course. The New Paltz location will be open later than Poughkeepsie, will have outdoor seating and is likely to serve beer and wine.”
An employee at Lola’s advised that owner Edward Kowalski was no longer providing interviews until the business was ready to open, which could be this summer. Extensive renovations are needed, including rearranging the interior walls, according to village building inspector Bryant Arms, who had to issue a stop-work order because Kowalski had started that process without a permit. The reason that’s needed, Arms explained, is because permit applications come with plans drawn by an architect or engineer, which ensures that the building won’t be compromised or anyone endangered. Now that Kowalski is aware of the requirements, he is arranging to get the necessary plans filed.