New Nook For Rook Possible at Little Silver Train Station

Those of us that have lived in for some time know that while our fair borough has many wonderful things to offer -- river views, great schools, drugstores galore -- there are a few amenities that we long for. Perhaps an extra liquor license and a traffic light somewhere on Branch Avenue would be on a resident's wish list.

Another convenience we seem to be missing, this is 2012 after all, is a coffee shop. But that just might be something we can scratch off our list in the next few months.

The borough council announced at its meeting on Monday that it is in negotiations with the folks from Rook Coffee Roasters to take over the concessions stand at the train station that has been vacant since last spring.

According to its Web site, Rook Coffee Roasters have two retail stores -- in Ocean and Long Branch -- a roastery and online shipping service. And if we were just basing it on the cute logo of the a bird in silhouette, we're already sold that more than just commuters might be swinging by for their cup of joe each day.

Rook was the sole bidder for the spot in two rounds held by the borough, according to Borough Attorney John O. Bennett. While the bid was rejected because the business's specs weren't in line with borough criteria, Little Silver officials are now free to begin negotiating the details with Rook, which include parking spaces and some capital improvements.

Bennett said that specs called for Rook to purchase parking spaces. "We're not subsidizing permits," he said.

If the agreement is signed by April 1, said Bennett, the coffee could be brewing by May 1.