CB2 responds to LIC community concern about life and bizz on Vernon
After the Blend bloodbath ensued, we contacted Joe Conley, the chairperson of the Community Board (CB2), in order to gain some clarification and address concerns about businesses and residents living amongst each other on Vernon Blvd. He’s agreed to hold a Q&A with concerned LIC’ers, and we’ll announce the date and location of the Public Hearing when it’s been coordinated. In the meantime, Chairman Conley did pass along a response he wrote to a liQcity commenter who sent him an email regarding the Blend liquor license denial:
Dear LIC Resident:
Thank you for your comments.
The application for a liquor license at Blend has been a subject of discussion in our community for a long time. The applicant [Blend] was put on notice of objections when work commenced at the location. The applicant decided to continue work. Based on concerns from the community and the lack of response from the applicant, the Community Board made a request to NYS SLA to enforce the 500 Foot Rule.
The applicant, knowing the SLA application faced opposition, and would most likely be rejected, decided to continue renovations and construction.
A Public Hearing was held on Vernon Boulevard to hear comments from the community. Many of your neighbors came to speak in opposition and some in favor of the application. The meeting was contentious as a result of the applicant’s legal representative who would not agree to commit to several requests, such as not using the rear yard or limiting the hours of operation. There was a Public Hearing at the NYS SLA and again there was a large number your neighbors who traveled to Manhattan to object to a liquor license at this location. The application for a full liquor license was rejected by NYS SLA.
The applicant has now come back to the board requesting a Beer and Wine License. A presentation was made to the community board and again concerns were raised. The applicant agreed to make changes to his application, including not using the rear yard and limiting the hours of operations. I suggested the applicant knock on his neighbors doors to work on objections and to find solutions. As of this date this has not happened.
A Public Hearing is scheduled for May 29th. As soon as we have confirmation on the location for the hearing I will send you an email.
We are most interested in your comments and urge you to attend the Public Hearing.
Hunters Point/Long Island City is an emerging community and many people are concerned and complained about the negative quality of life issues that have come with new development. Although you expressed “there is lack of local establishments”, I think many of your neighbors would disagree and would suggest there are many fine restaurants that serve alcohol in Hunters Point/Long Island City.
Once again, thank you for your email. I look forward to seeing you at the Public Hearing.
Sincerely,
Joe Conley Community Board 2, Queens
Amazing job LIQ! This blog may potentially be able to truly voice community opinion and create action.
Looks like Blend maybe didn’t get the reality of their opposition. But, what’s confusing is that it seems the neighbors objected as soon a restaurant moved in there. It could have been any restaurant, not just Blend. So any business in that spot is pretty much doomed because the neighbors are organized and can mobilize. Joe makes it sound like Blend is not compromising with them or taking them seriously, which might be the case, but also those neighbors are not reasonable people, and needlessly tortured Lounge 47 just because they don’t want to hear any noise. So. Joe might be right in one sense, but totally duped by those neighbors in another. Why shouldn’t Blend use their yard? I agree they should compromise, but the neighbors are not compromising either and Blend is being punished for that.
“The applicant [Blend] was put on notice of objections when work commenced at the location. The applicant decided to continue work.”
How dare you Blend continue work after you have been warned that some neighbors might have problems with your restaurant? You should have broken your lease, given up your deposit ($$$$) to the landlord, forgotten about all the money spent on designing and planning the space and risked being sued by the landlord for none performance of a contract.
Joe, are you for real?
Blend you were threatened and you did not back off. Good for you.
Blend we got your back. Let’s rally.
Funny, Joe said the ‘legal representation’ was contentious. Maybe this is just a case of a lawyer fucking things up bc they saw the neighbors as ‘terrorists’ and refused to negotiate. As much as I want Blend to get their license and flourish, it’ll be disappointing to discover at the hearing that Blend did not attempt to address concerns or compromise at all, as Joe indicated. Businesses should at least show basic respect for their direct neighbors. Many of us live in places where a restaurant could open in close proximity and disrupt us…
Does this topic deserve another 290 posts? I like beer and wine too and I like eating out, but, jeez…
Great job, liQcity! I hope they hold the meeting at Cassino Restaurant like they did the last time. It makes it easier for everyone to attend. Let’s rally around Blend!
Joe sounded pretty reasonable to me. In light of his letter, I think he was characterized unfairly by some of the posters on the other thread. If a business blew off community board concerns the way Blend did, then he had no option but to stick it to them. Sounds like Blend should just get its act together and stop encouraging this myth that there is some vast conspiracy of nut jobs out there to stop them from selling beer and wine.
#8 this has less to do with the liquor license, and more to do with business thriving on Vernon. And residents too. And can’t we all just get along?
#1 is right: Joe needs to get more in tune with his changing constituency. Is he elected?
If Joe isn’t elected - who decided he has the power to decide these matters?
I think these developments are troubling, but I also find it hard to believe that Blend in this case did not in some way escalate these matters.
I think it would be reasonable to hear Blend’s side of the story and hopefully they can respond to this letter. Maybe Liqcity can approach the Blend ownership.
Some have asked hoe Board members are appointed or elcted. This is what I found from the city’s web page. So call your Boro President if you are not happy.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/cau/html/cb/place_in_gov.shtml
“Appointments - The Borough President appoints the Community Board members. At least one half of the members must be selected from the nominees of the district’s Council Members, in proportion to the share of the district’s population represented by those Council Members. The Borough President must ensure adequate representation from different geographic neighborhoods in the district, and must consider whether all segments of the community are represented. Community Boards and civic and other community groups may submit nominations to the Borough President or to the Council Members.”
Joe sounds just like Eric Gioia - absolutely useless and not in touch with the fact that there constituents have changed. Let’s get rid of both of them and put elected officials in place that actually represent the neighborhood.
#10 Did you read the same letter I did??? I disagree entirely. He is plain wrong on the following counts:
1) He is still sticking to his saturation comment which are misguided at best an outright lie at worse.
2) “The applicant [Blend] was put on notice of objections when work commenced at the location. ” Who put them on notice, and what is the formal process to do this? Is there not an application process. Who is putting people on notice and who gave them the right to do that?
3) I suggested the applicant knock on his neighbors doors to work on objections and to find solutions. As of this date this has not happened. This is a very business unfriendly comment. Are we setting the bar such that any proprietor wishing to do business in our area must formally canvas the neighborhood and collect comments from everyone. What are we saying here?????
Complete BS if you ask me.
#11 is right. Blend can be the worst eatery in the world, what I object to is the anti-business climate and precedence this establishes.
#17 in many other NYC neighborhoods you are expected to speak to the neighbors that are impacted by your outdoor business. A friend of mine was approached by a Williamsburg restaurant owner when he opened his patio that faced her apartment. I actually like the idea of a business owner having to speak to their neighbors, one of the great things about LIC is the sense of community that exists here.
i have to say that i’m not surprised at all by the fact that blend has failed to reach out to its neighbors. my experience of eating there was very similar. when i went, the proprietor was there, and while there were only about 5 other people in the restaurant, he did not make a single effort to come speak to us much less recognize that we had entered the establishment. the food was generally ok, but not worth fighting for. if blend fails, that will be unfortunate, but there are many other, more community oriented establishments waiting in line to serve the residents of LIC. i applaud any restaurant who wants to come in and open a business, but blend get a B- at best.
#18 - By sense of community do you mean a few people resistant to change screwing a business owner? Give me a break because that is what this is
#20 Belnd’s not my favorite restaurant but by the same token, I don’t go over there or to any other restaturants expecting the owner to come over and talk to me.
It is humorous that a restaurant which needs to focus on their core (food and service) is now fixated on booze. Understandably these items are high profit and great for business - but if they don’t fix the core first they will just be another place with overpriced mediocre food where it’s hard to get a drink. You could then put it in the pile with Lucky Mojo’s and Masso.
I wish they would get their act together. We would love to have another dining option in the neighborhood.
I don’t get it. Some people are raving about how fantastic the food is at Blend. Others say it’s complete rubbish. Why such a big disconnect here? I ‘ve been reluctant to go to Blend because of some of the comments I’ve read. And I don’t just like to drink water with my meal.
It’s not rubbish. But it’s not necessarily stellar either. Mostly it’s decent with a hit here and bomb there. Wine will help. It’s a B/B-. If they got it together a bit more, of course it would be better.
This thread has lost focus. Above all this is a crusade being led by one or two noisy individuals against a establishment. I don’t care to drink during my meal, but will defend the right of Blend of offer that option, because I know that that is important to a resturants success. You could like their food or hate it, but please do not confuse that with their legal right to be here. All they want is to be able to serve wine/beer with the food. That is not illegal. If they keep reasonable hours both on the interior and in their garden, I believe they can co-exist quite nicely in the neighborhood.
I find the food to be very good at Blend and this is coming from a Latin. However, their service has been lacking at times. I have been there about 4 times and they have shown progress. There might be a correlation between service and our taste buds (bad service makes us upset and things do not taste as good when we are upset). Any scientists out there want to tackle this study?
I would like to reiterate the comments of #18. Blend’s food/service/decor isn’t the issue here. The issue is that elements of LIC community along the Community board act in anti-business manner. Community board seems to be completely out of touch with situation in LIC preventing development of neighborhood’s services such as bars, restaurants and etc… Joe Connely is under mistaken impression that community of LIC feels saturation of eating establishments.
We need to act!
Last night I went to eat at Tuk Tuk and the place was pretty full. There was still room for more people but I am not so sure that this will be the case when all these buildings start filling up. I have seen the same scenario with Bella Via, Cafe Henri, Tournesol and many of the other fine establishments we have here. So it is foolish when we here Joe say that we have enough. This should not be determined by him but by the market. We are in the US after all.
Helen M. Marshall is the borough president of Queens she is the one who needs to contacted about issues of LIC Community Board.
Office of the
Queens Borough President,
Helen M. Marshall
120-55 Queens Boulevard
Kew Gardens, NY 11424
1-718-286-3000
info@queensbp.org
This is not a small business issue. It is a quality of life issue. It is obvious that a shoe store or bicycle shop has a different impact on a neighborhood than a bar or restaurant. Noise, exhaust, smoke, traffic, all come as part of a restaurant/bar. When is the last time you found drunken shoe store patrons chatting loudly, smoking and talking on cell phones outside a shoe store at 1am? People have a right to participate in the decisions that will effect their lives. Blends may have a legal right to be here, but they have no legal right to serve beer and wine. That right is a privilege that is applied for and granted by the State of New York.
#30 You are correct this is a quality of life issue because if small restaurants are deterred from establishing in LIC it affects the quality of life of the majority of LIC residents and not just the ones living in a commercially zoned strip above a restaurant. It also indirectly affects the economy of LIC because people go elsewhere with their money since the choices are limited in the neighborhood. This negative effect is especially true in LIC since most business owners live here in the neighborhood as well. So I guess the quality of life argument cuts both ways.
No other restaurant seemed to have a problem opening in LIC and selling beer and wine. So is it appropriate to conflate Blend’s botch job on its application with some broader “problem” with businesses not being able to open? I think the backers of Blend would have more success if they toned down their rhetoric and stop trying to fight some widened conflict that just doesn’t need to be fought.
#21 In a new restaurant the owner should introduce himself if he is there. You have to in that business.
#22 Steve - Have you tried LaVuelta?
#30Agree
#30 is wrong #31 is right.
#30 & #32, the problem currently is only in that immediate block where Blend and Lounge 47 are located. However, this could easily happen in other blocks on Vernon Blvd. if there is a precedent of the CB withholding liq lic without having a valid reason. Joe should not be determining what enough restaurants in our neighborhood are. This should be determined by the market which is everybody in our community.
Changing topic a little some people have express fear that Hunters Point would become another LES. This is almost impossible because we do not have as many commercially zoned streets. We only have Vernon and Jackson, which limits the available locations for commercial establishments and gives us abundant residential streets for people to live in peace and quite.
#32 No other application was opposed by militant neighbors. That’s why no one else seemed to have a problem. Appreciate tring to keep the focus on this resturant, however #37 sums up why we should nip this in the bud right now. A vocal minority should not dictate what type of services exist in a neighborhood.
no. 37, I think we can all say with every confidence that there will never be any “peace and quiet” in LIC, at least in most of our lifetimes, regardless of where you live.
#39 you must define “Peace & Quiet” in a NYC parameter. I agree it will never be Nebraska “Peace & Quite”, but Hunters Point will never be as noisy as the island across the river.
I agree with most of what you say, 38. But I wouldn’t excuse Blend or any other restaurant from its obligation to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. They seemed to stumble through the process, probably were a bit arrogant, and gave their opponents an opening with CB2 to stop the license. If they were more savvy and a lot more careful, everyone would be enjoying their wine right now. Again, I think the issue of an anti-business climate in LIC is a myth. Blend blew it.
40, with full development of HPS (15,000-plus new residents and a 1,600-student school) as well as the continued construction of other projects, this part of LIC will have the scale of neighborhoods in Manhattan. The EIS for Hunters Point South even says the noise levels in the area will be “marginally acceptable,” which are like those in residential areas of Manhattan.
#31- the only problem is that your definition of quality of life is being able to go out to eat and drink for a few hours every once in a while. The neighbors next to Blend and (Lounge 47) definition is quite different. Their quality of life is affected on a daily basis as long as these establishments are open every day and into the night. Backyard and street noise permeates every home nearby. Who’s being most selfish here? Also I wish you new residents would get used to the fact that LIC has never been a huge restaurant area. Although more restaurants are opening it’s not keeping up with the developers. But if you stick around for more than two years you will have more choices. Just be patient.
#43. We go back to the fact that Vernon and Jackson are commercially zoned. If you choose to reside on a commercially zoned street, then you will be subjected to all the pluses and minuses that go with it.
#43 - so that makes it ok for them to arbitrarily decide that Blend can’t get a liquor license while Lounge 47 has one a few doors down? This is a case of a few people resistant to change screwing over a business owner, pure and simple.
#45 - its BECAUSE Lounge 47 has a liquor license that Blend can’t get one. Its not an arbitrary decision. While I don’t condone what the neighbor is doing, and I support Blend in its attempt to get a wine and beer license, Blend has itself to blame for the problems it faces. They did not do their due diligence and seem to be proceeding in a rather blase manner.
“Also I wish you new residents would get used to the fact that LIC has never been a huge restaurant area.” - #43
Nice! I guess we should just settle for the status quo.
1.According to Joe’s letter, Blend has already made a huge concession in agreeing not to use their garden. It could be a big money maker in the warm months.
2. I guess the BYOB law can be manipulated. Alain Ducasse’s new restaurant Benoit was allowed to do BYOB while awaiting their license. Their seating capacity certainly exceeds the supposed limit.
3. In response to someone on the original thread who assumed that TukTuk was “breaking the law” by having a BYOW night - NOT TRUE. It is perfectly allowable as long as the restaurant has a license. This is widely practiced throughout the city by restaurants such as Gramercy Tavern etc. - some one night a week - some any day of the week. This privelege is up to the management of the establishment.
What is this nonsense about Blend not doing their due diligence? What exactly are you saying?
Let’s say that they did perfect due diligence and went door to door and somehow discovered that the proposed site for Blend is located next to a few militant neighbors who would call 311 hundreds of times on them, shower their patrons with a water hose and illegaly tape private conversations (both acts that can get you thrown in jail I would add - that should tell you something about their state of mind). Now with that information they decided to chose to open their restaurant in Williamsburg. Who is hurt? LIC. By this logic no business located withing 500ft of these militant neighboors should ever open up.
Is that what you are suggesting? I’m sure many of you would love to see LIC return to the days of old, but there are plenty taxpaying residents who prefer to have a vibrant resturant instead of a shuttered storefront.
43, I wish you old residents would get used to the fact that LIC is changing and that you will need to be flexible or you will be miserable. Sad as it may be things are not going back to the way that they were, so you can forget about that.
Looks like we are not the only ones dealing with this mentality:
http://gothamist.com/2008/05/09/eugene_mirman_s.php
#47- No I’m not saying you should settle for the status quo, but you just shouldn’t expect overnight change. Like I said it will happen it just takes time. In the meantime, Fast and Delicious just re-opened up. You can order for a delivery, go buy a bottle of wine and Live like a Star!
#50-
Do you think I’m totally living in a cloud? Of course things are not going back to the way they were. I’m now commuting like a rocket!
More Joe Conley foolishness here:
I more I learn about this guy the more I dislike him.
Regarding the so-called changing constituency - perhaps if you worked your butt off to improve this neighborhood for years - attending meetings, becoming involved in local non-profits, planting gardens, etc. you would have a sense of what a long term commitment means versus “hey, the new kid is here, move over.”
The other absurd fallacy is to marginalize people as “those opposed to change.” Many of us have been changing this neighborhood for years while at the same time not stepping all over what was here before us.
Finally, the idea that we must stiffly oppose each other is just plain stupid. There are valid arguments on all sides. It’s a matter of at least being able to acknowledge this.
So 54 will you support Blend getting its beer and wine licence?
Who cares if they get their liquor license. They haven’t done anything to help themselves - everyone else has. This place is brand new it should be doing everything THEY could to help their situation. I see failure for them whether they get their license or not. I guess they never got the memo on how to run a successful business.
No. 56, you just about said it all for me. It’s up to the owners of Blend to make their case for getting a license, and no one else. If they can’t, then rest assured that another restaurant will get it’s chance at that space. The world doesn’t end without Blend.
56 I thought helping each other out was what a community was all about? And I thought this sense of community was what is being ruined in LIC? Or maybe you only throw around these ideals when it supports your agenda????
#58 - sorry no agenda here. I’m in LIC forever- with or without Blend! I just feel that the management of Blend have done little nothing to help themselves. My family was in the restaurant business for years and sold a successful business. I do wish luck to your cause.
I think it’s a bit hypocritical to say on one hand that the sense of community and cooperation that was here is being ruined by newcomers, but when the community including the newcomers comes together in support of a local establishment that they are viewed with contempt. If your family was in the restaurant business you should certainly understand what this means to Blend. Why not get involved instead of just wishing us luck in “our” cause? I don’t understand. Am I missing something?
no. 60, I think you can show your support for a restaurant by eating (and, in the case of restaurants who got their acts together, drinking ) there. How much more can one reasonably be expected to do?
Remember that Seinfeld episode when Jerry tries to help out the Indian guy trying to make his unpopular restaurant a success? It didn’t work in the end because ultimately it’s the owners job to run a vital business, build a clientele, and fulfill the legal requirements for running it. If they can’t/won’t do it, another establishment will certainly exploit the tremendous opportunities in LIC. Isn’t that the virtue of the free market many of you are always whooping about?
Real neighborhood community causes are much bigger than Blend. They are focused on making LIC a healthy, livable place for everyone, not just those spoiling for a fight against the Forces Against Change. It’s interesting to me that I haven’t seen such an outpouring of community concern for anything else in LIC — not for people tossed out on their fannies to make way for condos, not for the senior center that could close soon, not for dirty, crowded streets across the neighborhood — just a so-so restaurant that didn’t do its homework before opening its doors.
Not missing anything. This is not my cause and chose not to be involved. I get involved a lot with other community issues - I don’t join in on every community issue.
I never said newcomers were ruining the community.
yes! a seinfeld reference! didn’t see that one coming.
To me a major part of making LIC a livable place for everyone is encouraging the sort of retail services that we lack right now.
Again, you keep saying that they did not “do their homework.” To me that is a very telling statement as it implies that Blend should have known that they were not welcome and further implies that this has nothing to do with Blend as you would be against any establishment (short of a library or perhaps a school for the deaf) that opened at that site. That is what I take issue with.
“a liveable place for everyone”? don’t have the time or energy to go into that one, but are you serious?
I think “didn’t do their homework” may refer to the fact that (a) the 500 foot rule was a potential liability for them and (b) there have been issues regarding back yard noise.
None of these are new to NYC living and it seems a business should at least not assume these are non-issues.
#66, I undertand let’s just shut down that site. Nothing with even a remote possibility of making any noise whatsoever should ever go there. We just can’t take that risk. To hell with the property owner.
Also, for the 1,000,000,0000,000,000,000 time the 500 foot rule does not apply in this situation.
Also - If you read Joe’s letter, Blend has agreed NOT to use the garden and to limit their operating hours. Some respnders on these threads apparantly do not read before they write.
#67 - Why does the 500ft rule not apply here, I’m confused?
Can someone let me know what was going on at The Gantry building Saturday night? We passed by around 10:30 and a resident had a live band on his/her patio! Was a concert for all? Did anyone go?
The 500 foot law does not apply to a beer and wine license. That is why TukTuk can have beer &wine across the st. from a church. That is also why Tournesol can operate a wine bar less than 500ft. from his restaurant. As for the party at the Gantry Bldng. - It was private and created quite a neighborhood disturbance.
#61 Actually what is happening to Blend is exactly the opposite of free market. Free market would mean you can sell any liqour or food yet no one wants to eat at your restaurant and you go out of business. Here a militant neighbor managed to convince the community board not to give you a liqour license making it impossible for you to compete with other restaurants which can sell alchohol.
Blend’s liqour license isn’t a huge issue by itself. However, the fact that vocal minority can make such an impact on the local business and complete diconnect of the Community Board with actuall community is very worrisome.
#72 agree. Many will try to marginalize this issue by focusing on Blend, its food and its management , however, its the larger issue of co-existence with neighbors who are hostile to change is the one that concerns me.
Again - Hate to repeat myself - but Blend has already made a huge concession by stating that they will not use their garden and will limit their hours! The hostile neighbors should really be willing to recognize the fact that Blend is really reaching out to co-exist in the neighborhood.
#74 don’t bother. Nothing will satify them until they drive all the gentrifiers out.
It’s my understanding that neighbor doesn’t want to compromise at all. He is already upset that he couldn’t get rid of Lounge 47. Now, he is going to try to get rid of the Blend. Blend can’t survive without at least serving beer and wine. So, he is going to make sure that Blend doesn’t get any type of alchohol selling license.
He is already going around with a new petition. This person refuses to recognize the fact that he lives with in a commercial block. His house is the only one which doesn’t have some kind of store front. Yet, our Community Board keeps on siding with this man. How is that possible? If everyone who wants to open a business on Vernon would have to go through such a hassle - we won’t have any of services that are needed in LIC and our property value will suffer.
This angers me.
#71 Did you go to the party at the Gantry Bldg? My guess is his neighbors are pretty pissed at whoever owns that apt.
#66 is using the tactic of shouting and exaggeration that all too often fills this blog. One wonders why 66’s attachment to Blend’s cause is so strong. Surely there are bigger issues in life and the neighborhood to be passionate about.
No one said “shut the restaurant down”. No one said “no noise whatsover”. The reply included the 500 ft rule in the context of someone earlier asking what was meant by “not doing their homework” and this was an explanation of the first round where they did not get the special benefit from the SLA.
If it is true that “Blend has agreed NOT to use the garden and to limit their operating hours” that’s great. Question what do some of you propose if they don’t abide by that agreement?
There are extremists on all sides. The smarter path is to find common ground.
79, it a matter of perspective. I care about the issues that matter most to me. I think that is human nature. You may think its odd, but neighborhood amenities, such an addequate supply and choice of resturants are a big quality of life factor for me. I like being able to walk a few blocks and have a choice of places to eat instead of having to get in a car or go into Manhattan. I don’t have kids, so I can’t say that I get particularly excited when someone complains about the lack of schools in this area. Nevertheless, I respect their opinion and the fact that they are passionate about that. Point being is that a neighborhood should reflect the needs and wants of the many not the narrow agenda of the few.
Regarding Blend, we have all moved beyond the initial application. Blend is now trying to get a wine and beer lic. So continuing to rehash the 500ft rule serves no purpose other than to imply that they are somehow in the wrong. (I would also point out that the 500ft rule is enforced unevenly and sometimes not at all, so there is no amount of “homework” that would have prevented this.)
The new lic. application is the focus here and it is still getting opposition. There is no question that Blend has agreed to limit the use of the yard. Read above. The CB chair confirms it independantly. The question remains why do they need to jump through all of these hoops???
It is unfortunate that back at the beginning Blend did not realize the force they were up against - an angry neighbor who was able to fire up a large part of the residential community by convincing them that this restaurant was going to become a “noisy Latino nightclub”. I think that they had visions of Tito Puente (no disrespect meant - he was a great musician) returning to earth and leading a salsa parade up Vernon Blvd.
Now that Blend has quietly opened and proved otherwise, he continues his hate campaign. I can’t imagine that he still has many followers.
no. 80, I more or less agree with where you’re coming from. But I find this idea that every gentrifying residential neighborhood in NYC must have a buzzing entertainment/nightlife district. Why? It certainly isn’t born out of NYC’s development history or reflected in other cities I’ve visited.
I would much rather see LIC have just a few more small, low-key neighborhood restaurants on the Vernon strip but many more service and retail shops to maintain a better balance. I hate having to schlep over to Greenpoint or someplace else a car ride away to get products and services. But I can live with spending time in Manhattan, Williamsburg, or Astoria for a night out.
#82, noone is talking about a “buzzing entertainment/nightlife district” in this particular case. We are concerned about a restaurant that does a very quiet business having the right to serve their customers a choice of wine/beer with their meal. Without that amenity this restaurant will surely fail which is what the angry neighbor wants to see happen.
As the population continues to grow more service and retail shops will ensue.
#80 here again. I complete agree with 83. This issue (at least in my mind) has taken on more significance than just Blend itself as the implication is that a small businesses that is enhancing the quality of life is not welcome in LIC. This is not about creating a nightlife district. I think most would be happy with a decent selection of establishments so we don’t have the leave the area anytime we need something. I can make a several page list of the amenties that LIC is missing. I have met with many of the small business owners in LIC and most are making a huge investment in our neighborhood. I think by the actions of a few we have taken a dump all over Blend which is unfair and does not represent the LIC that I love and live in.
To Blend Patrons,
We would like to thank the community for all your support in taking the time to come down and sign our petition to obtain a beer and liquor license during these past few weeks.
We have a “public hearing” on Thursday, May 29th at 7pm. in reference to this matter. The hearing will be held at St. Mary Church, W 1009 49th Ave. in Long Island City.
We would love to invite anyone who would like to attend and voice out their opinion and concerns in an event to obtain our beer and wine license.
Once again, we would like to thank everyone for there continued support!
Blend Management
I can’t believe he is still trying to insist that we have an abundance of establishments in the area. While I agree that the few establishments that we have are very good I totally disagree that we have enough.
Joe it is time you get in-touch with your changing constituency and remember that you do not only represent the people that oppose change.