Shucks! Oyster Bar Dredges Up Controversy on Hoyt
For the past several months, a Community Board 6 committee has been considering a local business owner’s application to get a liquor license for a bar he wants to open on Hoyt and Union. The board examined whether zoning allows for a drinking establishment in the building, which is adjacent to the Black Mountain Wine…
For the past several months, a Community Board 6 committee has been considering a local business owner’s application to get a liquor license for a bar he wants to open on Hoyt and Union. The board examined whether zoning allows for a drinking establishment in the building, which is adjacent to the Black Mountain Wine Bar, and also heard from some neighbors (especially a group called the Hoyt Street Alliance) who were opposed to the proposed business for a number of reasons, including the fact that it’s near a school and the stretch of Hoyt it would open on is primarily residential. After chewing on the application for a long time, CB6 finally voted in favor of the liquor license application last week, but controversy about the establishment and the board’s vote (which is ultimately only advisory, though it’s weighed by the State Liquor Authority) is still alive on the web. Pardon Me For Asking has penned a couple of withering posts on the topic, writing, “As far as I am concerned, C.B.6 just signaled to all restaurateurs that this district is a free for all and that residential streets are as good as any to open bars,” and also including commentary from former CB6 member Barbara Brookhart about the decision. Brookhart said “it appears that the Board gave more weight to a few residents that approved having the restaurant and bar, than the block association’s petition of about 300 names against the approval of the license.” Meanwhile, on the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association message board, a couple people have had a more tempered opinion of the board’s actions. One CB member, who voted against the liquor license, nevertheless notes that “commercial use is legal, although non-conforming to current zoning at that location,” while another nearby resident wrote, “Actually, I think the folks on Hoyt have a point, though having the existing bar there has been an amenity which brightens an otherwise isolated area, and impacts positively on our community.” The business owner who made the application for the oyster bar is Jim Mamary, the successful Smith Street restaurateur who was behind Patois and other notable eateries.
Community “Business” Board 6 Sticks It To Hoyt & Bond Residents [Pardon Me For Asking] GMAP
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You are 100% wrong. They are concerned with quality of life issues but not if the business has zero complaints or comes from a reputable background. Neighbors are trying to shut down plenty of places, but the reality is, if the business is responsible and acts as a good neighbor, there should be no complaining. The noise? Well, you’re out of luck. Move to the country.
10.02 PM;
Please, get a grip!! Please take the advice I offered at the end of my original post.
Benson
This story is being played out in neighborhoods across NYC and the reality is that the community has absolutely NO power to stop it… regardless of the actions of the local community board. The SLA doesn’t consider “quality of life” issues when handing out its approvals. They’re more interested in the vast tax revenues these licenses generate. So, be warned… that quiet doctor’s office, dance studio or boutique next door today could become the loud, boistrous bar next door that will disrupt your life until you don’t care because you’ve either gone deaf or were forced to move away.
And Benson, we don’t live in New York, we live in Brooklyn… in the city that never sleeps, this is where we come to sleep. And no capitalist venture should trump a community’s right to a peaceful sleep.
guest 3:19
While I agree 7th Ave is an epicurean wasteland, you notably left off Chillies and Chocolate from your list of mediocrity. Gotta love well prepared oaxacan.
You should be eating there 95 out of 96 times.
3:11
By all means then, please continue to point out my ignorance. In the meantime, I will continue to lecture people regarding 1) the law and 2) real estate economics.
I’ve gotten under your skin, and that’s really all that matters.
Would Mr. Mamary please consider a good restaurant on 7th Avenue in Park Slope? I’m a huge fan of the new Pomme de Terre and if he can find a spot without obscene rent (hard), he’d do well over here.
I’m not sure that Slopers notice or care because their tastes are becoming increasingly more Applebee’s and less Applewood, but I was just realizing that I do NOT have ONE favorite restaurant on this strip, from Flatbush to 14th Street.
All the restaurants here have B- to D+ food: Miracle Grill / Elementi / Sette / Yamato / Tutta Pasta / Santa Fe / Rancho Alegro (you have to be kidding) and C+ to F decor: Elementi, I’m talkin’ to you, is it 1985 in Stroudsburg, PA?
I find myself on 5th Avenue 95 times out of 96. Sometimes I hit Mr. Falafel when I’m lazy but mostly for lunch, not dinner. Where’s the Good Forks, the Sauls, even the Conviviums? 7th Avenue is a wasteland. Bring us the oysters, we’ll slurp ’em down so loudly, you’ll have to call 311!
I just read the Pardon me for Asking reaction. I love the post about the negative impression that adults sitting outside, drinking wine will have on neighborhood school children walking by. Really? They live in New York City and their biggest worry for the youth of BH is that they could see a bunch of adults talking with friends and drinking wine? Sheesh. Count yourself lucky.
It’s not a typo, it’s ignorance from someone who presents themselves falsely as an intellectual with a pretentious pen name and lectures people.
1:51
You must be new to the internet. Correcting typos does very little to support your argument, although it does make people think you got your panties in a wad.
If it makes you feel better, please keep at it though.