Village Seeks Food Vendor for Scarsdale Station House and the Library Cafe

Two new dining options may soon be available on Village owned property per an RFP issued by the Village of Scarsdale.

The long-neglected station house at 1 Depot Place is now available to be renovated and utilized as a café. Unlike the station house in Hartsdale which is owned by Metro North, the Village of Scarsdale owns the station house and previously leased it to the MTA. However the lease was terminated in November 2022. The iconic building is listed on both the New York State and National Historic Registry so renovations to the exterior of the building would be limited.

Per the RFP, the Village would expect that the vendor would make improvements to the facility to accommodate the needs of their café operations, as the building currently has limited utilities and amenities.

A photo of the interior shows that it is in original condition and would require some work to make it suitable for a café. The location is an excellent on for both commuters, pedestrians in Scarsdale Village and Garth Road and people walking or biking along the newly renovated Bronx River Parkway path.

What would be on the menu? Village Manager Alex Marshall says, “We are asking that the menu for the café include (but wouldn’t be limited to) espresso drinks, soft drinks, juices, as well as conveniently packaged goods for the convenience of commuters such as muffins, pastries, sandwiches, soups, and salads.”

Coincidentally, Apiary, the vendor who supplied food and drinks at the café at Scarsdale Library is no longer able to service the café and the Village is seeking a new operator for the Library Café.

About Apiary, Library Director Beth Bermel explained, “Apiary opened at the Library during the height of the pandemic. The building wasn't open to the public yet, but we were doing curbside service and Apiary was willing to provide takeout, which we appreciated. They were committed to keeping their main location in Larchmont open as well as the Library location during those dark days! They had a few staffing hiccups, like most restaurants at that time, but when they hired Eddie as the manager, there was better consistency and service. Once we opened fully, they did a brisk business, and patrons of all ages appreciated the convenience of an onsite cafe.”

Describing the opportunity at the library, the RFP says, “The cafe has become an integral part of the library and brings in many patrons especially since the Library is not in walking distance from any food service establishments. The foot traffic at the library has increased exponentially on a monthly basis from an average of 16,000 to 26,000 patrons. The mornings bring in many caregivers and children who come to the myriad of children’s programs offered. Lunchtime and the afternoon bring in high school students due to the proximity of the high school. There is a walking trail between the high school and the Library and they have an open campus at lunch time. Many of the patrons use the cafe as a place for casual, collaborative meet-ups while at the Library or when they are coming in for a program.”

What would Bermel like the vendor to provide? She said, “Variety is important since the cafe caters to all of our patrons, from toddlers to their caregivers, to high school students, to adults working remotely, to seniors and our staff. We are looking at meal options to accommodate different needs that include gluten free and nut free options, low fat choices, espresso drinks, soft drinks, etc.”

The Village hopes that one vendor will be able to run the operation at both the train station and the library café. According to the RFP, proposals were due by November 8, interviews will be conducted from November 18 to December 12 and the contract will be awarded on December 12, 2024.