The SPaCE Block Association is holding its monthly meeting tonight. There are some interesting items on the agenda.
They’ll take up a proposed liquor license for a new spot at 23 Essex St. called Sam’s Spring Roll. The applicant, Samantha Chu, is looking for a permit to sell wine and beer from noon-2 a.m. seven days a week. SPaCE is opposing the application and urging its members to show up at next week’s community board hearing in which the permit will be discussed.
The group will go over other liquor applications tonight. According to the agenda, members met with Nathan Sklar, the operator of a new kosher restaurant opening on Grand Street. The two sides have agreed on operating restrictions (known as stipulations). They also met with the owners of Dimes, the little Division Street restaurant that’s hoping to expand to 49 Canal St. (where Cochinita Dos is now located). As noted yesterday, their community board application suggests the new spot would be a “grab-and-go” concept rather than a conventional sit-down establishment. However, the SPaCE agenda says, “They intend to move their restaurant operations to 49 Canal Street and retain their current location as a prepared foods and grocery store.” Presumably, all of this will be explained before CB3 next week.
Other topics to be discussed tonight: the new Seward Park Conservancy, the campaign to spruce up the East Broadway subway station and (an oldie but a goodie) eradicating rats from the Lower East Side!
The meeting is open to the general public and takes place from 6-7 p.m. at the Manny Cantor Center, 197 East Broadway, 6th floor.
It is a waste of time to oppose wine and beer licenses. The NY SLA rubber stamps beer and wine unless the character of the applicant is in question or the location has a history of crime. Unlike liquor there is no need to prove public benefit.
The laws need to change for beer and wine. The politicos should be working on legislation. Beer and wine licenses are gateways to full liquor which CB3 upgrades on a regular basis! Should get strict stipulations close 12am all nights and don’t upgrade.