05/31/2026
Sag Harbor, let’s talk.
| literally just walked past this building and wondered if it was ever going to open. Last year 2025 it was rumored to become a café and wine bar, but it never opened.
Fast forward to 2026: According to 27east, the Sag Harbor Village Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously upheld the revocation of a building permit for 23 and 25 Washington Street, denying an appeal from tenants Joseph Licata and Samantha Raynor.
The board determined the permit was issued in error because the file did not contain the required signed authorization from the property owner, Clifton Murdock. Board members also noted that the appeal was not filed within the required 60-day deadline following the permit revocation.
During the meeting, ZBA Chairman Scott Baker stated that owner authorization is required for applications and permits, while board member Damon Brown described the matter as a landlord-tenant dispute that is already being addressed in court.
The property was slated to become a café and wine bar, but with the appeal denied, the permit revocation remains in place and the future of the space remains uncertain.
Many residents have been wondering what happened to this location. Now that the board has ruled, do you think this was a matter of following the rules, a breakdown in communication between landlord and tenants, or a little of both?
Drop your thoughts below. 👇
