Dear Elitist Coffee Family,

Our hearing on July 18th, at 7:30 pm was a great step in the right direction! 

We were able to get a Parking Variance Waiver Approval, but we are still not able to reopen. The next step in our process is to obtain our TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, which allows us to reopen when coupled with our CERTIFICATE OF HABITABILITY and HEALTH INSPECTION. These additional certificates are attached to the property’s parking ordinance and therefore could not be obtained until variance waiver approval —now that we have received such approval at the hearing, we have already applied for ALL. We will be pursuing these certificates while we wait for the Planning Board to adopt the resolution of approval at its meeting on Monday August 1st, 2022. 

Thank you so much for your continued donations, dedication, and support through this difficult process to reopen and for thinking of us, passing along our information to your friends, family and for your kindness and compassion. We understand the challenges with busy schedules and appreciate all of your efforts. To those who spoke on our behalf —Bob Landau, Jessica Miller, Karen Wells, Ian Betts, and Matt Ruderman— we would like to personally express our gratitude for imparting your heartfelt desire to see Elitist Coffee reopen. 

We would also like to thank our attorney, Derek Orth, for his exhaustive efforts in representing us before the planning board to obtain our parking variance waiver approval.

The generosity and encouragement illustrated by all is truly making a difference for the future of our business, the future of our staff, as well as in the continued effort toward small business growth and development for the broader South Orange community.

We appreciate your patience and involvement in this matter and we will continue to keep our Elitist Coffee Family updated until we are able to reopen and serve our community as we have done for the last 5 years. 

With Appreciation and Hope,

Elitist Coffee…