Liquor License Crackdown in Williamsburg?
Reprinted in full, here’s an item from Brooklyn 11211 this morning: “On Tuesday, the Executive Committee of CB1 Brooklyn voted unanimously to institute a moratorium on new liquor licenses in Williamsburg, Greenpoint and the rest of North Brooklyn. The vote was a response to what the leaders of CB1 see as an over saturation of…
Reprinted in full, here’s an item from Brooklyn 11211 this morning: “On Tuesday, the Executive Committee of CB1 Brooklyn voted unanimously to institute a moratorium on new liquor licenses in Williamsburg, Greenpoint and the rest of North Brooklyn. The vote was a response to what the leaders of CB1 see as an over saturation of liquor licenses in the area. The Board’s Public Safety Committee, which reviews liquor license applications, met last night to discuss the issue, and left with more questions than answers. The Committee did not vote on a moratorium, but the issue is sure to come at next Tuesday’s full board meeting.” Whoa! Will be interesting to find out what the full board has to say about this.
Williamsburg to go Dry? [Brooklyn 11211]
Photo by wallyg.
Harp? Seriously? They barely even drink that swill in Ireland. Labeling micro-brewers or craft beers as “hipster” just shows either your ignorance or your dislike of beer … or both. Pathetic.
more4less, liquor licenses in New York are incredibly cheap by national standards. A two-year on-premise liquor license for a bar is $4,352. A three-year license for a liquor store is $4,098 plus a couple hundred for a filing fee. A wine shop, a paltry $640 a year.
The public money comes from taxes, not fees. Liquor licenses do cost well north of $100K in some states. Not this one. Unlike some other states, licenses are tied to a physical address. And can’t be transfered around the county all willy-nilly.
http://www.abc.state.ny.us/fee-schedule
Personally, going dry is not the answer. It encourages those already in possession of a license to sell it to the highest bidder–typically a large chain. Those profits go to the person with the license. There is no benefit to the community.
This tactic almost always backfires. Existing licenses become mired in backroom dealings and future businesses do everything possible to hide their true intentions until a business is already open–because the costs are so high. It turns a regulated industry into an unregulated industry. The community ends up with less say, not more.
For a historical precedent, look at the myriad of shady dealings Rite Aid got into around 2000 when they neared bankruptcy. Their liquor licenses became one of their most valuable assets in places like Appalachia and the Midwest. And communities with restricted licenses almost always lost any form of input or say in what these existing licenses were used for. Plenty of money changed hands though. Rite Aid made millions off the investments.
It sounds like the folks on the CB simply want to shield themselves from community noise complaints. Instead of accepting responsibility, they are trying to make it look like they took no part in the current situation. To relinquish even more of that responsibility is simply childish. They should sack up, or the community would be wise to replace them.
DIBS, Old Speckled Hen is fairly similar to Boddington’s. Give it a try, it might make your list.
“Guarantee a gazillion places open up on Wyckoff Ave now that Greenpoint is off limits.”
Hm. That’ll be too bad in its way. Wyckoff Ave is already thriving just as it is now.
Tell ’em to throw some business down Broadway instead….it’s sleepy down here.
Does this liquor license thing have anything to do with obscene shaped growlers?
I live directly above the recently opened Alma after hours night club in South Williamsburg:
(contact me at dsusla@gmail.com if you can help)
There are 5 family’s (several children) and we are all multi-cultural, open minded, small business supporting neighbors.
For 12 months we have patiently navigated multiple mediation channels to find some sense solution to their ongoing noise violations (foundation shaking bass). We attend the CB1 public meetings and will be looking forward to seeing the process improve. “Dry” is not the answer but some discretion should be considered for the neighbors.
MEDIA: The Daily News, The Brooklyn Paper: (See Attached
brooklynpaper.com/stories/34/9/wb_almanoise_2011_2_25_bk.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2011/04/04/2011-04-04_11_stats_show_dramatic_drop_in_city_shootings_homicides_crime_shot_down.html
newyorkshitty.com/williamsburg/?p=53341
NOISE: Department of Environmental Protection: Alma has been issued two noise violations and we are working with the agency for more readings (NOV# 00266115X, NOV# 00266160P). Additionally, the 90th precinct has been issuing sidewalk-noise violations weekly.
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS: Councilwoman Diana Reyna: We were contacted by and met with her chief of staff (Antonio Reynoso: AReynoso@council.nyc.gov) on 03/17/11 to discuss their offices investigation into the numerous Alma violations. Mr. Reynoso will be meeting with the Alma management next week to discuss these violations.
LEGAL PERMITS AND COMPLIANCE: SLA, DOB, DOH, DCA, FDNY, DEP, 90th: A second MARCH (multi-agency) raid occurred 03/12/11 and Alma was issued several violations from these agencies including a violation by the FDNY – 45 (illegal conversion) violation (# 3370805) with the following comments: “FD INSPECTED PREMISES AND FOUND THAT IT IS OPERATING CONTRARY TO ITS C OF O” (See Attached). Additionally, we wanted to update you on the following where In response to a FOIL request, we received confirmation from the DCA that the Alma dance club is definitely operating without a Cabaret license (See Attached)
Guarantee a gazillion places open up on Wyckoff Ave now that Greenpoint is off limits.
Maybe this will be a good thing. There are too many restaurants in Williamsburg right now.
Mind you, many are not very good and most are overpriced. I suppose less competition from potential newcomers isn’t going to help solve that problem. The restaurants in Williamsburg used to be few and good — back when the rents were lower, I guess. Discuss.
Wrong thread.
The bigger issue with the budget logjamb is that neither the Reps or the Dems are actually curring anything meaningful. There needs to be much bigger cuts to the size of the government. Taxpayers are not going to put up with this much longer.