I love this place. The owner and the people who run it have truly invested a lot of time and effort. I admit I'm biased because this is my new coffee spot due to its proximity to my house.

BUT, of course, some local fascists decided to rain on everyone's "Fulya" parade by calling L&I and reporting that the Cafe had been using illegal outdoor seating during their opening day - FREE FOOD & DRINK - fest. In appreciation of this nice addition to the neighborhood, apparently, a "neighbor" had called and reported them. I witnessed the L&I visit the other day as I waited for some Tabule...here's how it went.

L&I guy walks in and starts asking where the outdoor seating is. Woman behind counter says that they have none. L&I guy says well if you did, you can't because you didn't file the paperwork. He was really nice and just told her to apply. He then commented that some neighbors had called and reported it and then sarcastically added "Nice Neighborhood."

I couldn't have been more embarassed as a member of this community. Yes, they should have applied for the outdoor seating permit, they didn't, but here's my problem. These type of laws are enacted to protect the IMMEDIATE neighbors from noise, etc. correct? Well it's unlikely that any immediate neighbors called, as many, if not all of them were in attendance at the grand opening. Additionally, the hours of a coffee shop don't really generate rowdy late-night gatherings. So, it's pretty apparent to me that someone on this board who began the discussion of the Cafe by bitching about how they didn't have to apply for an outdoor seating license most likely called L&I. Talk about sour grapes. Yes, it sucks that you or your friend had to jump through hoops to get the license, but don't hold it against a fellow new business.

Though not on the same level, I find a strange similarity between the Stamper Square argument: "would you rather stare at a hole for another 10 years" and these L&I whistle-blowers who apparently want to see this new business fail and stare at an empty store front for a few more years. Those Society Hill people who opposed that development are idiots, but so are you (whomever you are) for crying "but they didn't have to do what I did to get outdoor seats." Come to think of it, all people who complain about outdoor seating are clueless...but we've had this discussion before. Sorry for venting, I know that "laws exist and need to be followed, yada yada" but come on.

By the way, their coffee is cheaper than Philly Java and Red Hook.