Ballston’s outdoor “ Urban Oasis ” cafe has dried up — but its signature red coffee cart hasn’t gone far.
Like flowers after a desert rain, the short-lived Turkish coffee experience by Ballstonian founder Isa Seyran sprang up this summer in a courtyard at 4075 Wilson Blvd.
Turkish carpets, tables, cushions and stools appeared between outdoor seating areas for Poppyseed Rye and the now-closed Rustico. They offered a space for passersby to take off their shoes, relax and browse a bookshelf with titles like “The Odyssey,” the “Epic of Gilgamesh” and “One Thousand and One Nights.”
That came to a halt a couple weeks ago, however, after Seyran’s temporary occupancy certificate at 4075 Wilson Blvd expired. Though Seyran had hoped to further extend his stay — with dreams of adding water features, more flowers, a stage and an arch entrance to the courtyard — a recent acquisition of the Two Liberty Center office building prevented further renewal.
Seyran said he respects the new owner’s wishes.
“But I must admit, this feels like eviction,” he added.
The coffee cart owner’s occupancy certificate originally granted him access to the plaza from July 27 through Sept. 8, and the county later extended the permit through Sept. 29.
Hopes of a further extension failed to materialize after New York City-based Rithm Capital acquired Two Liberty Center on Sept. 11.
“I have been informed by property management that the building has been sold and is going through a transition of ownership,” County Manager of Special Events Leslie Pelzer told Seyran in an email. “They did not give approval to extend any further past the end of September.”
Decisions on what to do with the space fall to the new owners, county spokesperson Ryan Hudson told ARLnow.
“It will be the decision of the new property owner what uses they pursue for the courtyard,” he said. “Anyone interested in using the courtyard for a specific use would need to coordinate directly with the property owner before applying for a short-term certificate of occupancy through the County.”
John Wolf, founder of FarmViewVentures LLC, one of the building’s new owners, told ARLnow that it’s too early to discuss specific plans for the outdoor space. However, he said the owners “are in active discussions with county officials to improve the space for the community.”
“We are eager to see what they would like to see. Smiling kids playing games and happy parents watching them is the goal,” Wolf said.
County Board Chair Libby Garvey, meanwhile, encouraged Seyran not to give up hope.
“I think you can go back to the location you had and, hopefully, something can be worked out over the winter for next year for coming back or using another good location,” she wrote in an email. “As you know, the building to one side has been bought and perhaps the new owners will be more interested in having you return and become more permanent once they settle in.”
Until then, Seyran is back to serving patrons from his original sidewalk location, across Wilson Blvd. He holds onto hope that someday, his “oasis” concept will return.
“Seeing this love and support, I am motivated more than ever to establish a permanent oasis here in Ballston,” he said.
Local News
Comments / 0