©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Deb Shop restaurant puts neighbors on edge
by Kristin Pazulski

The lack of details surrounding the new Japanese/French restaurant, Hokka Hokka, concerns near neighbors.

A sign in the front bay window of the old Deb Shop that reads “Restaurant Coming Soon” has neighbors worried about odors and parking.

Interior construction is underway at 7830 Germantown Ave., next to CinCin, but the sign is the only explanation residents have for what is going on inside. Workers have politely refused to reveal details at the building, most recently home to Chestnut Hill Resale.

But owner and manager Grace Seo spoke freely to the Local about her new sit-down Japanese and French restaurant, Hokka Hokka, when a reporter happened upon the restaurant’s owners at the building.

Seo said she received the zoning and building permits for an eat-in restaurant in C-2 zoning — both of which were shown to the Local, though neighbors pointed out that the permits are not visible to the public as required by law. Construction began the second week of May and Seo expects to open the doors in August.

The building’s owner, Josephine Veccione, who once ran the Deb Shop, lives across the street. She said she asked her neighbors on Germantown Avenue about the restaurant and received no complaints. But residents behind Hokka Hokka are concerned.

The property has the capacity for a five-car parking lot only, and people who live along Roanoke Street are concerned about the spillover onto their street. According to George Parry of 7818 Roanoke St., it is already “almost impossible” to park because of CinCin’s business.

Parry said that when CinCin moved onto Germantown Avenue 10 years ago, neighbors were aware of the inadequate parking lot, but didn’t realize the extent of the problem. They aren’t prepared to worsen the situation with an additional restaurant.

“I would oppose [the restaurant] unless they have ample off-street parking,” Parry said. Parry, a former member of the Chestnut Hill Community Association board who has lived in his home since 1979, is no stranger to having to oppose businesses near his home.

When CinCin opened its operation at 7838 Germantown Ave. in 1996, Parry, other neighbors and the CHCA “launched war” on the restaurant to install an expensive, high-tech ventilation system because of the cooking smells that billowed from the building.

The ventilation system was installed in 1999.

“For the most part, we don’t smell anything at all,” said newer resident Michael Wisniewski of 7817 Roanoke St. Wisniewski said he’s concerned about the potential smell from Hokka Hokka because the building is “right in his back yard,” about five feet from his back fence.

Parry said the owners of Hokka Hokka are “sadly mistaken” if they think they can move into the former Deb Shop without a strong ventilation system.

Seo said she would accommodate the neighbors concerns, but said she not sure yet of the type of ventilation system being installed. Once the kitchen contractors begin work on the site, she said, she will know.

Regarding the successful and admittedly similar restaurant right next store — CinCin bills its cuisine as Chinese with a French flair — Seo said she is not concerned. “We’re running a good business, and believe we can compete with the food and customer service.”