Shippy’s stood before the Zoning Board of Appeals to appeal the final phase of their development plan [“Divided ZBA Denies Request for Additional Outdoor Seating at Shippy’s,” 27east.com, April 30]. They asked for variances they believe are required to exist.
What they experienced violated my sense of business normalcy and decency.
Since the Betts family purchased the restaurant, they have become an attractive and favorite spot in the Village of Southampton. The zoning board chairman declared that he couldn’t support their requests and imputed “greediness” to the owners.
The Betts family paid their staff for an entire year while the restaurant was being remodeled and donates a portion of the cost of every meal purchased at Shippy’s and Coopers Beach to local charities and scholarships. How is this called greedy? This is the family who keeps the restaurant open all year, particularly through the winter months, when profits dwindle, and they offer generous portions at relatively low prices.
The ZBA chairman said this project was “supercharged” and an example of overdevelopment. These statements are blatantly wrong. The Betts family has revitalized an area of our community on Windmill Lane (not named for me) that has had multiple neglected and abandoned buildings for years. At least four restaurants in our area have gone out of business in the last several years; others are struggling to survive.
The chairman considers outdoor dining and the addition of an outdoor bar too much. Really? You must fish when the fish are biting, and that means you need more seats and an environment that people will gravitate toward. Shippy’s is also putting in a new septic system and paying for parking elements that will enhance the neighborhood experience.
This is a family who loves their community, gives back to their community, and wants to do more for their community. They will bring more business to the Southampton area helping other restaurants and retail by adding vibrancy to our village.
We must give them our support.
Lane Brettschneider
Southampton
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