Martha Stewart's quaint Hamptons village is in uproar over plans to develop a New York nightspot beloved by celebrities like Taylor Swift.
Efforts to replace the 18th century luxury hotel, Hedges Inn, in East Hampton with a popular social club, Zero Bond, have sparked backlash from residents.
Distressed local residents tried to block the plan with multiple town meetings led by the village mayor.
After a series of meetings, they passed the new law, which put plans for the club, which has hosted celebrities such as Elon Musk, Tom Brady and Kim Kardashian, on hold.
Residents successfully imposed an 11pm curfew on all “eateries” in the town, thwarting plans for a nightspot.
“Let's be honest here, Zero Bond is actually a nightclub,” Village Administrator Marcos Baladron said at the May 17 meeting.
“If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it's a duck. This place is no place for ducks.”
However, Zero Bond owner Scott Sartiano has revealed that he plans to turn the hotel into a branch of celebrity-favorite restaurant, Sartiano's.
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“I have no plans to open a private club in the Hamptons this summer, but who knows what may happen in the future,” he told the New York Post.
“Just wait and see.”
“I hope to be treated like everyone else by the authorities. My only concerns this summer are Sartiano's and staying at Hedges Inn for a long time.”
East Hampton Village Administrator Balladron told The Hollywood Reporter , “Mr. Sartiano has decided to water down the proposal substantially and make it simply an Italian restaurant. If that happens, we'll roll out the red carpet.”
“But if his ultimate goal is to open another Zero Bond, I think local residents should be very wary.”
Sartiano's is set to open July 18 at the Hedges Inn.
