Tokana Cafe Coming to 163 Elizabeth Street

A drinking establishment is headed to Elizabeth Street just off the main drag of Kenmare. Neither surprising nor needed, though such is the reality of the Lower East Side in 2012.

Just after welcoming a Japanese haute-wear boutique Entrepreneur, and as work continues on the new Cocoron outpost, another chunk of the former Yee Fay warehouse is being carved up for trendy newcomers.  Twin sidewalk sheds arrived at the adjoining 163 Elizabeth Street a couple months ago, and work has been breakneck ever since. DOB permits on file indicate that the build-out calls for “interior renovation of an existing store into a wine bar with new storefront.”  And deeper digging reveals the corporate name as “Tokana Cafe Bar and Restaurant.”

Tokana has been on and off the SLA agenda for Community Board 2 these last few months, usually scratching or laid over at the last minute. Principals are again on the docket tomorrow night for the wine and beer license. Meanwhile, we are assured that the concept won’t be a wine bar, but a cafe.