Come Early or Stay Late at the New Jacob Burns Wine Bar & Café
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Despite blustery wind and heavy rain last Wednesday, about 100 enthusiastic supporters attended the special preview opening of the Jacob Burns Film Center’s Take 3 Wine Bar & Café.
The light and airy space on the film center’s third floor marks the final piece in the film center’s renovation project that also included improvements to the three original ground-floor theaters.
“The intention behind adding a wine bar and café was to elevate the Jacob Burns Film Center’s movie-going experience,” explained Jesse Modica, director of theater operations. “People could come here and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat and stay after the movie.”
Modica said the idea was first discussed nearly a decade ago, but it didn’t come to fruition until recently. For years, theater staff witnessed moviegoers coming together and talking about a film after viewing it.
“People connected with each other right here in the theater,” Modica said.
“They would find a bench and talk about what they saw. Now we’ve created a space, a destination for people to continue to have those conversations over a glass of wine, a beer or a cappuccino,” Modica said.
Seating can accommodate up to 85 patrons, who can grab a drink or snack while surrounded by work from the latest art exhibit in the gallery space. The café is also conducive for families with children to stay after a JBFC Kids Saturday screening.
Jacob Burns board member Laureen Barber worked with Pleasantville architect James Coleman to design the space. Barber is also co-owner and designer of Blue Hill at Stone Barns. Funding for the bar and café included a generous gift from film center board member Ginny Gold in honor of her late husband, Marty Gold, who passed away in 2017 and who was a longtime member of the center’s Board of Directors. He served as treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee.
Marty Gold was a well-known wine connoisseur and president and CEO of Martin Scott Wines, Ltd. Other funds came from the David Swope Fund, the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council and Jon and Nancy Bauer, among other donors.
The Take 3 Wine Bar & Café’s menu will feature sandwiches, salads, pastries, charcuterie, mac and cheese, pretzels and baked goods from local businesses including Second Mouse Cheese Shop, Irving Farm, Posh Pretzels and Feel Good Booch. There will also be items available from the renowned New York City restaurant Balthazar.
Beer will be supplied by Captain Lawrence Brewing Co. and Soul Brewing Co. while the cider will be from Thompson’s Cider Mill of Croton-on-Hudson. The wines include a selection of reds, whites, rosés and sparkling. Prices range from $5 to $25 for food and drink.
Take 3 Wine Bar & Café officially opens on Thursday, which coincides with the film center’s unveiling of its latest art exhibit showcasing the legendary poster designer Bill Gold’s iconic designs. (Think “Casablanca,” “Mystic River” and “Camelot,” among others.)
The wine and bar café will be open to ticket holders and non-ticket holders on Thursdays from 4 to 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 12 to 10 p.m.
The Jacob Burns Film Center is located at 364 Manville Rd. in Pleasantville. For more information, call 914-773-7663 or visit www.burnsfilmcenter.org.
Abby is a local journalist who has reported on breaking news for more than 20 years. She currently covers community issues in The Examiner as a full-time reporter and has written for the paper since its inception in 2007. Read more from Abby’s editor-author bio here. Read Abbys’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/ab-lub2019/
