Known for its famous coquito latte and Puerto Rican classics like pernil, Cafe Con Leche has become a local favorite since Phil Cordero opened it in September of 2018. But when the town of Poughkeepsie cited Cordero for a zoning violation in May, the town saying it could only operate as a deli or grocery in the space, its future was at risk.

Cordero says past businesses have operated as a cafe or restaurant there for approximately 20 years.

"It was frustrating; we applied for our permits and health department, everything that was inspected was inspected as a cafe, was inspected as a food establishment. It was never inspected as a deli or grocery store," said Cordero. 

The cafe's neighbors on Main Street complained about the traffic the cafe created. Spectrum News spoke to the Town of Poughkeepsie's director of municipal development, Michael Welti, about the dispute.

"It's a big town it's not like we're out checking on every door so we try to follow up on complaints when we get them, we try to work with people," Welti said.

But Cordero says the town's proposed solution, getting rid of a few tables and adding retail shelves, didn't sit well with him.

"We felt it was unfair. I've seen five businesses go in and out of this space," said Cordero. “They've all been delis, cafes, eateries. It's a hard location, it's never worked, and we’ve been the only restaurant or cafe or business to actually make that space work."

"I'm guilty of my own success; that's exactly what happened. It's the only wrongdoing we've done; we actually went through every proper channel to open up the business."

After months of back and forth with the town, Cordero decided it would be best to move the cafe to a different location, allowing Cafe con Leche to expand to serve 70 guests comfortably. 

"We felt like it was a blessing in disguise. We felt like the lord opened up another door," said Cordero. "He's closed the door at 10 Main, he's used that location to allow us to become popular and successful and grow, and then he closed that one and opened this door at 32 Market Street."

The cafe on Main Street will continue to serve customers throughout December until the new location in Wappingers Falls opens in January of 2020.