The Square Café plans to open Oct. 1 at its new East Liberty location.
“It feels so good to have a date,” owner Sherree Goldstein said. “I am super excited. We’ve been doing some staff training, and we will be ready to go. East Liberty has been so welcoming and has made us feel wanted. It is going to be amazing having the Square Café here.”
The last day for service at Square Café, which has been in Regent Square for 17 years, is Sunday. That will allow time to move equipment, tables, chairs and other fixtures, she said. That space will house Goldstein’s other business, MyGoodness, a market and prepared food company. It’s twice as big and should be ready by the end of October, she said.
Goldstein recently launched a campaign with Honeycomb Credit to raise money for the move. She said it’s currently at 69% funded. People can give any amount and will be paid back with interest in 60 months. The interest rate is 6.5%.
The new space was previously occupied by restaurants Spoon and BRGR at Highland and Centre avenues. It is 8,000 square feet with a rooftop deck that, with outdoor heating, can be used nearly year-round.
Square Café, which serves breakfast and lunch, will eventually be open for dinner and have alcohol, Goldstein said.
“The liquor license is in process,” she said.
Goldstein has told the Tribune-Review previously she didn’t feel comfortable in Edgewood. The issues included a dispute over outdoor seating last year. After placing tables and chairs along the sidewalk, she was told there were too many and they were too close to the sidewalk. It was resolved by the borough council, which allowed the seating to continue.
The most recent situation involved signs she placed in front of the restaurant to alert people that they can order food for pickup or delivery. Edgewood Borough manager Rob Zahorchak said Square Cafe received a warning letter saying the signs did not comply with the borough’s ordinance, and that it could face a possible citation.
He said the borough has rules for all businesses governing the number of signs, their size and where they are placed. Businesses are also required to apply for a sign permit, which needs approval.
