Looks like it could be the end of the road for Aussie fish and chips (and boozie brunch) spot, Bondi Road. An online listing for the restaurant at 153 Rivington reads, “bar with liquor license for sale… perfect LES block next to Schiller’s (a block away actually)… LES liquor license = license to make money.”
In the past year, Community Board 3 has tried to dispel the notion that a liquor license can be sold. Although each applicant must apply individually to the State Liquor Authority, a previously existing license is seen by bar owners as an asset. This listing makes that crystal clear.
It doesn’t indicate how much is being asked for the business. The broker (Misrahi) is asking $12,500/month for the 1400 square foot space.
The only thing that is crystal clear is the polarizing journalism that you spew out every month with your articles. The only thing that is being sold is the improvements to the space. In order to get the Liquor license transferred everyone must go through the community board process which you failed to mention. Everyone has to realize that people’s needs change and when they move on they want to capture some of the time energy and effort they put into their small business. The same thing will be true when this Blog is sold. By having an orderly transition you preserve the business, the local people keep their jobs and the community benefits. By snidely insinuating that something illegal is going on and pitting people against each other is counterproductive to the community’s well-being. That does not make this Bog an asset to anyone.
Unless they edited the story Natasha, I don’t see anything polarizing about the report.
We haven’t insinuated anything – certainly not that there is illegality here. As you may know, there has been a robust debate within CB3 in recent years over the issue of transfer licenses. We have covered both the perspective of bar owners and residents, in great detail:
https://lo-down.mystagingwebsite.com/2010/02/mcwater-rails-against-cb3-bar-decisions.html
Bar owners have argued that the community board should (in most cases) automatically approve transfer licenses because the liquor permit is a huge part of the business assets. This listing (which has now been altered) makes it clear that the liquor license is, in fact, a major selling point.
As for your more sweeping generalizations, we try hard to reflect all points of view. For example, we sought out Paul Seres, the new gm at Ludlow Manor/The DL, for an interview. He appreciated the fact that we presented his point of view almost verbatim.
While it is true the Community Board has a role to play here, it is the State Liquor Authority which decides whether an operator receives a license.