7 Old Fulton Street Residents: No Liquor For Restaurant

7 Old Fulton Street

A resident from the 7 Old Fulton Street building emailed us that a ‘sandwich shop’ is opening there soon and applying for a liquor license. The problem is, they’ve complained to the NYC DOB (10 complaints according to the DOB site) about the construction crews that have been “nothing but disruptive to his neighbours” and don’t see a need for a liquor license in a block with at least 4 other liquor licenses. Here’s their email:

I’m writing to let you know about a liquor license hearing that will be taking place next week.

At 7 Old Fulton Street, in DUMBO/Brooklyn Heights Brooklyn, there’s a new restaurant opening at some time in the near future. I live in the same building, so I’ve spoken briefly with the owner of the new restaurant, and he’s told us that it’s going to be a sandwich shop.

The hearing is for a full liquor license to allow them to serve beer, wine, and spirits. I was hoping to let people know about this because I’d imagine locals wouldn’t be too happy about this. I can’t imagine why a little sandwich shop would need a liquor license, and It’s pretty clear that the guy opening this restaurant isn’t much interested in what is good for the neighbourhood. He and his construction crews have been nothing but disruptive to his neighbours, and we’ve had to call 311 countless times to report the unlawful and improper practices going on. It might be different if he were putting in something that people in the area would use, but he’s seemingly just trying to get some business from tourists down by the Fulton Ferry Landing who don’t feel like standing on the Grimaldi’s line.

As a reminder, in the last month, the community board denied a liquor license to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory on Fulton Ferry Landing because they felt it wouldn’t be a great idea to have more alcohol down there with all the tourists and kids everywhere. At present, within a one block radius of 7 Old Fulton Street, there are at least 4 other places with liquor licenses (River Cafe, Pete’s Downtown, Toro Asian, and 5 Front), and I’m not sure about the status of Grimaldi’s.

I represent the residents of this building, and we’d like to let anybody who might be affected by this place getting a liquor license that their liquor license hearing is coming up. Like I said, this guy has been completely indifferent to the needs and concerns of the residents of this building, and I’m pretty convinced that’s how he’ll be with the neighbourhood in general. So we’re going to be opposing his liquor license application, and we wanted to get the word out to anybody else who might be interested in having their voice heard too.

If the restaurant owner is reading this, we’d like to hear your side of the story (email us). The hearing will take place on Wednesday January 7th, 2009 at 6pm. It is located at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, 121 Dekalb (at Felix), 3rd Floor, Conference Rooms 3A and 3B. If anyone is able to attend, please let us know the outcome.

42 Comment

  • I want to know what specifically what sort of “disruptive” actions this construction crew has committed. Hammering? Drilling? Point being, these said actions (again, depending on specifics) shouldn’t reflect the restaurant’s m.o. down the line.

    IMHO.

  • I want to know what specifically what sort of “disruptive” actions this construction crew has committed. Hammering? Drilling? Point being, these said actions (again, depending on specifics) shouldn’t reflect the restaurant’s m.o. down the line.

    IMHO.

  • Let him fix it up, go broke and then go grab his lease cheap.

  • Let him fix it up, go broke and then go grab his lease cheap.

  • I think you’d be wasting precious time complaining about their work methods. They need real reasons to deny the license, not reasons to punish them for being assholes. Geez, if we only had a school nearby, that would keep them from getting the license! The other problem you guys have is most people will welcome somewhere else to eat around here. Good Luck!

  • I think you’d be wasting precious time complaining about their work methods. They need real reasons to deny the license, not reasons to punish them for being assholes. Geez, if we only had a school nearby, that would keep them from getting the license! The other problem you guys have is most people will welcome somewhere else to eat around here. Good Luck!

  • Also, it looks like the Dock Street project might be in jeopardy! Instead of wasting time worrying about this silly ass issue, write a letter to one of the folks involved and let them know we support this building 100 percent and we want it built as planned! hooray! almost there!

  • Also, it looks like the Dock Street project might be in jeopardy! Instead of wasting time worrying about this silly ass issue, write a letter to one of the folks involved and let them know we support this building 100 percent and we want it built as planned! hooray! almost there!

  • I guess I’m a little bored tonight so I read the DOB complaints. Other than a bunch of day laborers smoking on the job, which is annoying, they’re running a pretty clean job. I hardly think they deserve to be run out of business. Furthermore I think it’s highly irresponsible of DumboNYC to run such a one sided story.

  • I guess I’m a little bored tonight so I read the DOB complaints. Other than a bunch of day laborers smoking on the job, which is annoying, they’re running a pretty clean job. I hardly think they deserve to be run out of business. Furthermore I think it’s highly irresponsible of DumboNYC to run such a one sided story.

  • sweet liquor, ease my pain.
    another place to water down is always good.
    why does a liquor license constitute something that is bad for the interest of the neighborhood. this if family-ville not clubland. not like its suddenly going to create marauding bands of drunken miscreants

  • sweet liquor, ease my pain.
    another place to water down is always good.
    why does a liquor license constitute something that is bad for the interest of the neighborhood. this if family-ville not clubland. not like its suddenly going to create marauding bands of drunken miscreants

  • To Loose Stool:

    I’m the tipster, and you should know that we’re appealing some of the DOB’s conclusions on our 311 calls. The fact is they’re building without the permits they need, and they’re altering a landmark building in ways they’re not permitted to do.

    So it’s not just smoking, loud noise, and damage to our property, which are annoying too.

  • To Loose Stool:

    I’m the tipster, and you should know that we’re appealing some of the DOB’s conclusions on our 311 calls. The fact is they’re building without the permits they need, and they’re altering a landmark building in ways they’re not permitted to do.

    So it’s not just smoking, loud noise, and damage to our property, which are annoying too.

  • I live in the building too, and honestly, I’d be happy to support a liquor license if there were an actual bar opening up–since moving here what I’ve felt the neighborhood lacks is a laid-back, cozy bar for locals. But a sandwich shop? With a liquor license? This is not for locals, this is for tourists.

    In addition to the annoyances mentioned above, what the building crew has also done is block one of our modes of egress with the construction of an A/C vent on our roof. It completely obstructs our path to the neighboring building’s fire escape (which is considered ours, since our building doesn’t have one).

    I think we’d all feel less compelled to fight the liquor license if we’d gotten the impression that the business owner cared about his relationship with his neighbors. But he’s been completely un-responsive to our concerns, which we can only presume will continue once the business is up and running.

  • I live in the building too, and honestly, I’d be happy to support a liquor license if there were an actual bar opening up–since moving here what I’ve felt the neighborhood lacks is a laid-back, cozy bar for locals. But a sandwich shop? With a liquor license? This is not for locals, this is for tourists.

    In addition to the annoyances mentioned above, what the building crew has also done is block one of our modes of egress with the construction of an A/C vent on our roof. It completely obstructs our path to the neighboring building’s fire escape (which is considered ours, since our building doesn’t have one).

    I think we’d all feel less compelled to fight the liquor license if we’d gotten the impression that the business owner cared about his relationship with his neighbors. But he’s been completely un-responsive to our concerns, which we can only presume will continue once the business is up and running.

  • I’m sorry but Fulton St. is for tourists not for laid back locals. I would avoid that street except for dragging around out of towners. I’m sure the store rents reflect that. You’re not going to find a pet food or hardware store there. If that fire escape is truly a legal means of egress you should call the fire department. They don’t fool around with stuff like that. Is your building sprinkled, fully or hallways? You don’t need the fire escape if it is. Look, I’m just playing devil’s advocate. None of what you are talking about will prevent the liquor license.

  • I’m sorry but Fulton St. is for tourists not for laid back locals. I would avoid that street except for dragging around out of towners. I’m sure the store rents reflect that. You’re not going to find a pet food or hardware store there. If that fire escape is truly a legal means of egress you should call the fire department. They don’t fool around with stuff like that. Is your building sprinkled, fully or hallways? You don’t need the fire escape if it is. Look, I’m just playing devil’s advocate. None of what you are talking about will prevent the liquor license.

  • Here’s how you fight the liquor licenense. You complain to the liquor authority that there are already too many establishments within 500 feet of the proposed booze dispensing establishment. There is a limit as to how many liquor license there are within 500 feet of one another. You’ve already got: Galapagos, Water Street Cafe, Ignazio’s (already got a liquor license),The River Cafe, Pete’s Downtown, Toro, Grimaldi’s (beer & wine), and Five Front. Without a liquor license most restaurants can’t afford to stay in business.

  • Here’s how you fight the liquor licenense. You complain to the liquor authority that there are already too many establishments within 500 feet of the proposed booze dispensing establishment. There is a limit as to how many liquor license there are within 500 feet of one another. You’ve already got: Galapagos, Water Street Cafe, Ignazio’s (already got a liquor license),The River Cafe, Pete’s Downtown, Toro, Grimaldi’s (beer & wine), and Five Front. Without a liquor license most restaurants can’t afford to stay in business.

  • twink…agree. however Ignazio’s is still pending a license for over a year as there has been a fight over that application using the same method you outline. but it is very important to ensure the community board recommends to deny it as the Liquor Authority usually follows their advice.

  • twink…agree. however Ignazio’s is still pending a license for over a year as there has been a fight over that application using the same method you outline. but it is very important to ensure the community board recommends to deny it as the Liquor Authority usually follows their advice.

  • Endeavor – So Ignazio’s doesn’t have one yet – good ! Are you sure the license is still pending? Are the parties still fighting it? I hope so. The less liquor licenses in the small area of the neighborhood the better. And same goes for Pizza, for that matter.

  • Endeavor – So Ignazio’s doesn’t have one yet – good ! Are you sure the license is still pending? Are the parties still fighting it? I hope so. The less liquor licenses in the small area of the neighborhood the better. And same goes for Pizza, for that matter.

  • If, as the aggrieved says, they are desecrating a landmark, that is one thing, and that ought to be taken up with, I suppose, the landmarks commission.

    But complaining about construction is like asking God to keep it a little cooler in August. Good luck with it, in other words.

    As for the efforts to keep them from getting a liquor license. Why? What’s the damage there? This isn’t Victorian England, where you can simply impose some kind of Puritanical moral code.

    Who in their right mind would OPPOSE liquor?

    The poster who sent out the letter has gone to great lenghts to oppose this. I think you have a little too much time on your hands, pal. There are real people with real problems, and you might try dedicating that same dilligence to them.

  • If, as the aggrieved says, they are desecrating a landmark, that is one thing, and that ought to be taken up with, I suppose, the landmarks commission.

    But complaining about construction is like asking God to keep it a little cooler in August. Good luck with it, in other words.

    As for the efforts to keep them from getting a liquor license. Why? What’s the damage there? This isn’t Victorian England, where you can simply impose some kind of Puritanical moral code.

    Who in their right mind would OPPOSE liquor?

    The poster who sent out the letter has gone to great lenghts to oppose this. I think you have a little too much time on your hands, pal. There are real people with real problems, and you might try dedicating that same dilligence to them.

  • Pingback: Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn » Archive » Ignazio’s To Open Soon? (DumboNYC.com)

  • Pingback: Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn » Archive » Ignazio’s To Open Soon? (DumboNYC.com)

  • It’s pathetic how much no one in the neighborhood wants dumbo to thrive. It’s truly a joke.

  • It’s pathetic how much no one in the neighborhood wants dumbo to thrive. It’s truly a joke.

  • denying a liquor to an upcoming attraction for tourists is unbelievable, its like denying brooklyn tourist attraction, in order to keep manhattan at its pace?? preposterous!!!!!, in my opinion, the community board is being visually impaired, and uncomprehending the articulate accomplishments of brooklyn itself, denying life to brooklyn! Gettt OUTAaa HEEEE

  • denying a liquor to an upcoming attraction for tourists is unbelievable, its like denying brooklyn tourist attraction, in order to keep manhattan at its pace?? preposterous!!!!!, in my opinion, the community board is being visually impaired, and uncomprehending the articulate accomplishments of brooklyn itself, denying life to brooklyn! Gettt OUTAaa HEEEE

  • First of all its not a “sandwich shop” its a Restaurant you nincompoops. And from the looks of it its relatively small. For those of you who are looking for a local bar this is definatelly it. Unlike other Restaurant around this place will certainly be of class, and serve people such as businessmen and women. most likely not you…so dont worry about the rowdyness. Nonetheless tourist will also be to it due to the simple fact that theres no way they will have enough patience for the Grimaldi’s line. But like i said before it seems like a small place and i doubt that it will cause chaos. To sit there and argue about them not getting a liquor license is a waste of time. The city makes money of of business like these. So show youself some dignity and take a HIKE down the brooklyn bridge! this is Brooklyn pal. fugetaboutit!

  • First of all its not a “sandwich shop” its a Restaurant you nincompoops. And from the looks of it its relatively small. For those of you who are looking for a local bar this is definatelly it. Unlike other Restaurant around this place will certainly be of class, and serve people such as businessmen and women. most likely not you…so dont worry about the rowdyness. Nonetheless tourist will also be to it due to the simple fact that theres no way they will have enough patience for the Grimaldi’s line. But like i said before it seems like a small place and i doubt that it will cause chaos. To sit there and argue about them not getting a liquor license is a waste of time. The city makes money of of business like these. So show youself some dignity and take a HIKE down the brooklyn bridge! this is Brooklyn pal. fugetaboutit!

  • Pingback: Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn » Archive » CB2 Reverses Decision on Liquor License at 7 Old Fulton (DumboNYC.com)

  • Pingback: Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn » Archive » CB2 Reverses Decision on Liquor License at 7 Old Fulton (DumboNYC.com)

  • Oh i thought this was going to be a wine bar? Something cozy like Black Mountain or Henry Public? Our area really is missing a place that is small, cozy and not over the top expensive. I can't imagine it being a rowdy club or anything close to Toro. This is the city, if they need to serve liquor to make a living so be it. I feel badly for them that it was stripped away when they clearly intended on their business having liquor to in fact be that – a business.

  • Oh i thought this was going to be a wine bar? Something cozy like Black Mountain or Henry Public? Our area really is missing a place that is small, cozy and not over the top expensive. I can't imagine it being a rowdy club or anything close to Toro. This is the city, if they need to serve liquor to make a living so be it. I feel badly for them that it was stripped away when they clearly intended on their business having liquor to in fact be that – a business.

  • Oh i thought this was going to be a wine bar? Something cozy like Black Mountain or Henry Public? Our area really is missing a place that is small, cozy and not over the top expensive. I can't imagine it being a rowdy club or anything close to Toro. This is the city, if they need to serve liquor to make a living so be it. I feel badly for them that it was stripped away when they clearly intended on their business having liquor to in fact be that – a business.

  • Oh i thought this was going to be a wine bar? Something cozy like Black Mountain or Henry Public? Our area really is missing a place that is small, cozy and not over the top expensive. I can't imagine it being a rowdy club or anything close to Toro. This is the city, if they need to serve liquor to make a living so be it. I feel badly for them that it was stripped away when they clearly intended on their business having liquor to in fact be that – a business.

  • I might be late to the party here but interesting thread. I really don’t understand the almost automatic opposition to the liquor licenses. I’ve been involved with food businesses and it’s hard enough to make a living with the mark-up afforded by being able to serve alcohol. Most people don’t go to restaurants to get drunk so I’m really perplexed about the issue with them. Some valid points about the construction were raised but that doesn’t mean you get to punish the owner by denying a way to make a living. Old Fulton is a tourist attraction, it has been for a long time and always will be. The person that commented that no one in Dumbo seems to want the area to thrive might have hit the nail on the head. I got mine, now keep everyone else out? Reminds me of the lawn signs in Paramus, NJ that say “Save the Paramus Wet Lands” that were firmly planted by the homeowners on the lawns of over a dozen McMansions that were built in the last few years…on former wetlands…

  • I might be late to the party here but interesting thread. I really don’t understand the almost automatic opposition to the liquor licenses. I’ve been involved with food businesses and it’s hard enough to make a living with the mark-up afforded by being able to serve alcohol. Most people don’t go to restaurants to get drunk so I’m really perplexed about the issue with them. Some valid points about the construction were raised but that doesn’t mean you get to punish the owner by denying a way to make a living. Old Fulton is a tourist attraction, it has been for a long time and always will be. The person that commented that no one in Dumbo seems to want the area to thrive might have hit the nail on the head. I got mine, now keep everyone else out? Reminds me of the lawn signs in Paramus, NJ that say “Save the Paramus Wet Lands” that were firmly planted by the homeowners on the lawns of over a dozen McMansions that were built in the last few years…on former wetlands…