Issue date: April 21, 1999
By BARBARA WOOD
The long-simmering feud between the new operators of the Little Store Restaurant and its Woodside Road neighbors will receive one more hearing at the Tuesday, April 27, Woodside Town Council meeting in Independence Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The council will hear an appeal of a January 20 Planning Commission decision that "no violations of the zoning ordinance will occur if the restaurant is operated during breakfast hours or on Sundays or Mondays."
Little Store neighbors Steve Peterson, James Guinn and Gloria Capps filed the appeal.
The Little Store, a Woodside Road landmark built in the early 1900s, was taken over by Greg St. Claire and brothers James and A.J. Guaspari last year and reopened in September.
The restaurant is located in an area zoned for homes, but is allowed to operate because it existed before the town was incorporated.
Before the restaurant opened, following neighbor's complaints about its planned operating hours, Town Planning Director David Rizk said the Little Store could only serve lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays as the previous owners had.
The restaurant owners appealed Mr. Rizk's decision to the Planning Commission, but later withdrew the appeal, claiming the town had no right to regulate their hours.
In November the Little Store began opening on Mondays and in December began serving breakfast (which it has since discontinued). The Town Council referred the matter to the Planning Commission after more neighbor complaints.
While Little Store operator James Guaspari said at an earlier council meeting that he would not appear at the planned hearing, he recently told the Almanac that he will be there.
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