CB2 Votes No to Liquor License for 7 Old Fulton Street

7 Old Fulton Street

Community Board 2 committee voted unanimously on Wednesday night to oppose a liquor license for a proposed Italian restaurant at 7 Old Fulton St., the Brooklyn Paper article reported today. But the committee’s recommendation is only advisory. It will head to the State Liquor Authority after the CB2 executive committee signs off. A group of three neighbors, including one that emailed us their concerns we posted last week petitioned the committee to deny the application. The Brooklyn Paper article states: Dema Baledemic, the proprietor of the eatery, which would join the River Café, Pete’s Downtown, Five Front as the nearby booze-serving restaurants, and would join the nearby fray at the wine-and-beer-only Grimaldi’s pizzeria, retorted that he is simply “trying to create a beautiful restaurant, not [one with] noise in front”…”I’m trying to create something that is great for the neighborhood,” added Baledemic, a former caterer and pizzeria owner in Bensonhurst.”

The neighbor emailed us after the CB2 meeting, who said that although the Brooklyn Paper article states that only 3 people opposed the license, it should have noted that there was a number of others present there who shared their opinions; They were just the only ones to speak in opposition to the license. He added, “and who knows, maybe in a year if the owner proves himself to be a good neighbor, cuts back his proposed closing time (to, say 10pm), and addresses the legitimate concerns that we have regarding the operation and plans for this business, then maybe we’ll come out and support a bid for him to receive a beer and wine only license.”

54 Comment

  • Puritans in dumbo! No drinking! No staying up past 10pm!

  • Puritans in dumbo! No drinking! No staying up past 10pm!

  • “one committee member likened Baledemic’s proposed trattoria to a “gin mill” rather than a restaurant because the permit seeks the right to serve drinks until 2 am.” Nothing against you guys who live in the building above this place (congratulation actually), but that is a chilling statement coming from a board member. If that is this person’s criteria for giving approval to liquor serving establishments we can kiss additional night life goodbye in Dumbo or the liquor authority will simply ignore the advice of the CB2. You might still have a fight at the NYS liquor authority yet because of this.

  • “one committee member likened Baledemic’s proposed trattoria to a “gin mill” rather than a restaurant because the permit seeks the right to serve drinks until 2 am.” Nothing against you guys who live in the building above this place (congratulation actually), but that is a chilling statement coming from a board member. If that is this person’s criteria for giving approval to liquor serving establishments we can kiss additional night life goodbye in Dumbo or the liquor authority will simply ignore the advice of the CB2. You might still have a fight at the NYS liquor authority yet because of this.

  • well, that stinks

  • well, that stinks

  • This is a disgrace. What’s up with CB2? The neighborhood needs more restaurants and bars to attract business and keep locals spending in the area rather than hoping a cab into Manhattan.

    Thankfully the CB’s are only advisory in these cases.

  • This is a disgrace. What’s up with CB2? The neighborhood needs more restaurants and bars to attract business and keep locals spending in the area rather than hoping a cab into Manhattan.

    Thankfully the CB’s are only advisory in these cases.

  • What’s up with the neighbors down there? Between Ignazios and this, you’d think there was a major club & party scene happening down at old Fulton landing?

  • What’s up with the neighbors down there? Between Ignazios and this, you’d think there was a major club & party scene happening down at old Fulton landing?

  • Related to CB2: The full vote of the CB on the Two Trees Dock St. project rezoning is this coming Wednesday at 6pm (no venue yet announced).

    The DUMBO Neighborhood Association, in conjunction with the Fulton Ferry Landing Association, Brooklyn Heights Association, and the Vinegar Hill Neighborhood Association is sponsoring a rally to protest the proposed project and request for a City zoning change.

    The rally will be held this Sunday, January 11th at 10:30am at the corner of Washington and Prospect Streets.

    More information here: http://www.dumbo-dna.org

  • Related to CB2: The full vote of the CB on the Two Trees Dock St. project rezoning is this coming Wednesday at 6pm (no venue yet announced).

    The DUMBO Neighborhood Association, in conjunction with the Fulton Ferry Landing Association, Brooklyn Heights Association, and the Vinegar Hill Neighborhood Association is sponsoring a rally to protest the proposed project and request for a City zoning change.

    The rally will be held this Sunday, January 11th at 10:30am at the corner of Washington and Prospect Streets.

    More information here: http://www.dumbo-dna.org

  • You folks that are all for more restaurants WITH LIQUOR licenses of ANY SORT have got it all wrong. It’s not the restaurants that are the problem. The problem is how these restaurants deceive the locals. What they do is tell the CB and others that they are just simply an honest little restaurant, BUT they need a wine license because, well, that’s just a nice thing to be able to offer people. THEN, after the get the RW (Restaurant Wine) license, they can go to the SLA and request a class change to a full on liquor license. THAT’s not good, because it can in some cases, allow for caberet or nightclubs opening, depending upon zoning permitted uses. If you think these restaurant owners aren’t angling for that you are smoking! NO RESIDENTIAL CONDO OWNERS OR TENANTS WANTS THIS NEIGHBORHOOD TO TURN INTO ANOTHER CHELSEA! AND THAT’S THE POINT OF ALL OF THIS DENIAL.

  • You folks that are all for more restaurants WITH LIQUOR licenses of ANY SORT have got it all wrong. It’s not the restaurants that are the problem. The problem is how these restaurants deceive the locals. What they do is tell the CB and others that they are just simply an honest little restaurant, BUT they need a wine license because, well, that’s just a nice thing to be able to offer people. THEN, after the get the RW (Restaurant Wine) license, they can go to the SLA and request a class change to a full on liquor license. THAT’s not good, because it can in some cases, allow for caberet or nightclubs opening, depending upon zoning permitted uses. If you think these restaurant owners aren’t angling for that you are smoking! NO RESIDENTIAL CONDO OWNERS OR TENANTS WANTS THIS NEIGHBORHOOD TO TURN INTO ANOTHER CHELSEA! AND THAT’S THE POINT OF ALL OF THIS DENIAL.

  • you’re kidding right? chelsea? neo dumbo, you are hyperbole personified.

  • you’re kidding right? chelsea? neo dumbo, you are hyperbole personified.

  • Mad – You are in deep denial. It’s obvious you are not in the restaurant, niteclub biz, nor are you a re developer, zoning official, planner, etc., and have no experience witht his stuff. I am. I do. I know what I am talking about. Keep reading your kids’ nursery rhymes. Denial means that if these “restaurants with liquor licenses” have their way, this neighborhood will be unsuitable for families or anyone desirous of high property values or a decent quality of life.

  • Mad – You are in deep denial. It’s obvious you are not in the restaurant, niteclub biz, nor are you a re developer, zoning official, planner, etc., and have no experience witht his stuff. I am. I do. I know what I am talking about. Keep reading your kids’ nursery rhymes. Denial means that if these “restaurants with liquor licenses” have their way, this neighborhood will be unsuitable for families or anyone desirous of high property values or a decent quality of life.

  • Wow. I just don’t get this opposition at all. Is Carry Nation back in town with her hatchet? I thought they repealed Prohibition. And closing at 10 p.m.? Are you joking?

    For sit-down restaurants serving full meals, beer and wine are not a “a nice thing to be able to offer people,” but rather a critical ingredient in profitability. Having a cocktail or wine with dinner does not equate to stumbling out to the curb and vomiting into a crowd of rowdies.

    If you think people are going to flock to a dry restaurant, you’ll be dining alone and the place will soon close. This neighborhood needs all the food options it can attract. Sorry to tell you, adult beverages are part of that.

    Do these neo-Puritans prefer abandoned buildings?

  • Wow. I just don’t get this opposition at all. Is Carry Nation back in town with her hatchet? I thought they repealed Prohibition. And closing at 10 p.m.? Are you joking?

    For sit-down restaurants serving full meals, beer and wine are not a “a nice thing to be able to offer people,” but rather a critical ingredient in profitability. Having a cocktail or wine with dinner does not equate to stumbling out to the curb and vomiting into a crowd of rowdies.

    If you think people are going to flock to a dry restaurant, you’ll be dining alone and the place will soon close. This neighborhood needs all the food options it can attract. Sorry to tell you, adult beverages are part of that.

    Do these neo-Puritans prefer abandoned buildings?

  • Neo DUMBO has a point–when the restaurant owner first signed the lease, he told us (the building’s tenants) that he would be opening a sandwich shop. Fantastic, we thought–this is the kind of thing the neighborhood needs. Somewhere casual to grab a bite on the way to the park (whose main entrance will be at the end of our street once the expansion is complete). Do we really need another white tablecloth restaurant, when we’ve already got River Cafe, Pete’s and Five Front?

  • Neo DUMBO has a point–when the restaurant owner first signed the lease, he told us (the building’s tenants) that he would be opening a sandwich shop. Fantastic, we thought–this is the kind of thing the neighborhood needs. Somewhere casual to grab a bite on the way to the park (whose main entrance will be at the end of our street once the expansion is complete). Do we really need another white tablecloth restaurant, when we’ve already got River Cafe, Pete’s and Five Front?

  • HyeFye
    You folks that are all for more restaurants WITH LIQUOR licenses of ANY SORT have got it all wrong. It’s not the restaurants that are the problem. The problem is how these restaurants deceive the locals. What they do is tell the CB and others that they are just simply an honest little restaurant, BUT they need a wine license because, well, that’s just a nice thing to be able to offer people. THEN, after the get the RW (Restaurant Wine) license, they can go to the SLA and request a class change to a full on liquor license. THAT’s not good, because it can in some cases, allow for caberet or nightclubs opening, depending upon zoning permitted uses. If you think these restaurant owners aren’t angling for that you are smoking! NO RESIDENTIAL CONDO OWNERS OR TENANTS WANTS THIS NEIGHBORHOOD TO TURN INTO ANOTHER CHELSEA! AND THAT’S THE POINT OF ALL OF THIS DENIAL.

  • HyeFye
    You folks that are all for more restaurants WITH LIQUOR licenses of ANY SORT have got it all wrong. It’s not the restaurants that are the problem. The problem is how these restaurants deceive the locals. What they do is tell the CB and others that they are just simply an honest little restaurant, BUT they need a wine license because, well, that’s just a nice thing to be able to offer people. THEN, after the get the RW (Restaurant Wine) license, they can go to the SLA and request a class change to a full on liquor license. THAT’s not good, because it can in some cases, allow for caberet or nightclubs opening, depending upon zoning permitted uses. If you think these restaurant owners aren’t angling for that you are smoking! NO RESIDENTIAL CONDO OWNERS OR TENANTS WANTS THIS NEIGHBORHOOD TO TURN INTO ANOTHER CHELSEA! AND THAT’S THE POINT OF ALL OF THIS DENIAL.

  • oh sorry neo dumbo, I stand corrected. so what is the name of your restaurant, nightclub biz?

  • oh sorry neo dumbo, I stand corrected. so what is the name of your restaurant, nightclub biz?

  • Boo sammies is right. And the same thing is happening with Ignazio’s. Just pizza – and that’s bullshit.

  • Boo sammies is right. And the same thing is happening with Ignazio’s. Just pizza – and that’s bullshit.

  • NEO
    IN AMERICA YOU ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY! Why do you want to punish the business owner for crimes others have committed? If you like restrictive alcohol laws you should move to Utah.

  • NEO
    IN AMERICA YOU ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY! Why do you want to punish the business owner for crimes others have committed? If you like restrictive alcohol laws you should move to Utah.

  • So, neo, if the owner had applied all along for a full liquor license you would not have opposed it because he was being honest?

    Of course I think restaurant owners all want liquor licenses. That does not bother me. You are saying that any application for any type of liquor license will inevitably lead to a pounding dance club or somesuch. Sorry, I don’t buy it.

    I used to live right above a restaurant and bar in Tribeca. I was terrified and angry the whole time they were building the place, but once it opened we ever had any problems. And they were open till 1 a.m. on weekends.

    What bothers me is this zero-tolerance position. This neighborhood really, really needs more nightlife options, especially for good food. I don’t see how a sandwich shop helps, but I’m not opposed to that either. We have a lot of empty storefronts around here.

    Look at Five Front. They have a full liquor license. Last time I checked they didn’t have crowds of drunken fools out front singing badly in the middle of the night. Or and house music shaking the walls for blocks around.

    And yes, boo, I do think this neighborhood needs a lot more restaurants, with liquor, to sit down in. Tablecloths not required.

  • So, neo, if the owner had applied all along for a full liquor license you would not have opposed it because he was being honest?

    Of course I think restaurant owners all want liquor licenses. That does not bother me. You are saying that any application for any type of liquor license will inevitably lead to a pounding dance club or somesuch. Sorry, I don’t buy it.

    I used to live right above a restaurant and bar in Tribeca. I was terrified and angry the whole time they were building the place, but once it opened we ever had any problems. And they were open till 1 a.m. on weekends.

    What bothers me is this zero-tolerance position. This neighborhood really, really needs more nightlife options, especially for good food. I don’t see how a sandwich shop helps, but I’m not opposed to that either. We have a lot of empty storefronts around here.

    Look at Five Front. They have a full liquor license. Last time I checked they didn’t have crowds of drunken fools out front singing badly in the middle of the night. Or and house music shaking the walls for blocks around.

    And yes, boo, I do think this neighborhood needs a lot more restaurants, with liquor, to sit down in. Tablecloths not required.

  • Congrats on getting CB2 to turn down this application. And to the folks who think this is outrageous. The real issue for Fulton Landing is that all we have are restaurants with Liquor Licenses (currently five and with Iganzio’s, assuming it gets one, six) and no other businesses unless you want to get your car fixed while eating ice cream. Also the restaurants we do have are all aimed at tourists and we get inundated with them on that block. Notwithstanding the plan to have a Rice outpost in the new park when it opens similar to this summer which saw thousands more brought into our small area over the summer. As for “restaurateurs who don’t care about what folks in the building they operate within think”, I completely sympathize. This is the experience folks have had with Ignazio’s. The owner has even gotten physical and verbally abusive with homeowners in the building when their concerns were raised. He is a real sleaze bag, as is landlord. Hopefully the place closes soon after it opens.

  • Congrats on getting CB2 to turn down this application. And to the folks who think this is outrageous. The real issue for Fulton Landing is that all we have are restaurants with Liquor Licenses (currently five and with Iganzio’s, assuming it gets one, six) and no other businesses unless you want to get your car fixed while eating ice cream. Also the restaurants we do have are all aimed at tourists and we get inundated with them on that block. Notwithstanding the plan to have a Rice outpost in the new park when it opens similar to this summer which saw thousands more brought into our small area over the summer. As for “restaurateurs who don’t care about what folks in the building they operate within think”, I completely sympathize. This is the experience folks have had with Ignazio’s. The owner has even gotten physical and verbally abusive with homeowners in the building when their concerns were raised. He is a real sleaze bag, as is landlord. Hopefully the place closes soon after it opens.

  • odd decision. how often do these get overturned?

  • odd decision. how often do these get overturned?

  • CB2 members really need to remove the stick up their a$$es.

  • CB2 members really need to remove the stick up their a$$es.

  • There are a lot of weak and provincial arguments in here from the new business naysayers. I’m surprised CB2 went along with the squeaky wheels here — the ruling is bad for the neighborhood and the Fulton Ferry strip in particular. We need strong independent businesses here, not chains or empty storefronts.

  • There are a lot of weak and provincial arguments in here from the new business naysayers. I’m surprised CB2 went along with the squeaky wheels here — the ruling is bad for the neighborhood and the Fulton Ferry strip in particular. We need strong independent businesses here, not chains or empty storefronts.

  • Hey Boo Sammies – In the rear of your building, you’ve got some new ventilation ductwork thats been installed in the past few days. Two new ones just appeared, work looks like its finished. Problem is that these two new, smaller ducts only go as high as your third floor window line. This is completely against code. All ventilation ducts are supposed to terminate at the roof. Not near a window. You’ve got to call the dob and file a complaint about this. Best of luck.

  • Hey Boo Sammies – In the rear of your building, you’ve got some new ventilation ductwork thats been installed in the past few days. Two new ones just appeared, work looks like its finished. Problem is that these two new, smaller ducts only go as high as your third floor window line. This is completely against code. All ventilation ducts are supposed to terminate at the roof. Not near a window. You’ve got to call the dob and file a complaint about this. Best of luck.

  • I’m the person who wrote the letter to DUMBONYC and Brooklyn Heights Blog, and I was one of the people who spoke out against this place. And we agree that it would be best for the neighborhood to have empty storefronts filled with small, local businesses. But I’m sorry, we’re just not going to support another business coming in to target the captive audience of tourists at the expense of locals. And that’s what this is. And I’m not sure who these people are who think we need more nightlife options in our neighborhood. I thought the appeal of quiet, sleepy nabes was that you can enjoy your peace and quiet at home and then travel elsewhere when you want to go out. That’s why I live here anyway.

    Oh, and “Wasp”: Oh yes, we’re well aware of the venting situation. In addition to not having a DOB work permit to do exterior work at all (or, say, even a current valid DOB work permit, full stop, as it expired last week!), their landmarks preservation certificate of no effect says their HVAC system may not be visible from the street. AND, it blocks our 2nd mode of egress on the roof. So having that monstrosity torn down is our next task at hand.

  • I’m the person who wrote the letter to DUMBONYC and Brooklyn Heights Blog, and I was one of the people who spoke out against this place. And we agree that it would be best for the neighborhood to have empty storefronts filled with small, local businesses. But I’m sorry, we’re just not going to support another business coming in to target the captive audience of tourists at the expense of locals. And that’s what this is. And I’m not sure who these people are who think we need more nightlife options in our neighborhood. I thought the appeal of quiet, sleepy nabes was that you can enjoy your peace and quiet at home and then travel elsewhere when you want to go out. That’s why I live here anyway.

    Oh, and “Wasp”: Oh yes, we’re well aware of the venting situation. In addition to not having a DOB work permit to do exterior work at all (or, say, even a current valid DOB work permit, full stop, as it expired last week!), their landmarks preservation certificate of no effect says their HVAC system may not be visible from the street. AND, it blocks our 2nd mode of egress on the roof. So having that monstrosity torn down is our next task at hand.

  • Boo & Ned – hope the map helped you out the other nite.

  • Boo & Ned – hope the map helped you out the other nite.

  • Don’t most of us over here consider ‘nightlife’ dinner and a drink out at a local restaurant? I’ll bet that even if this place opened up and plied all of the tourists with beer, the line at Grimaldi’s would still be the loudest and rowdiest think on the street.

    You can gripe about tourists, but you can’t ignore how much their interest and money keeps many beloved businesses in our neighborhood going. Without them Fulton Ferry would have nearly 100% vacant storefronts. Nearly every time I’m out walking someone stops me asking for directions to Grimaldi’s or the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge footpath. And it’s always a very polite foreign tourist. I don’t think that the restauranteur in this case was going to open an establishment that would draw hordes of loudmouthed frat boys.

    The case against this guy is NIMBY nonsense.

  • Don’t most of us over here consider ‘nightlife’ dinner and a drink out at a local restaurant? I’ll bet that even if this place opened up and plied all of the tourists with beer, the line at Grimaldi’s would still be the loudest and rowdiest think on the street.

    You can gripe about tourists, but you can’t ignore how much their interest and money keeps many beloved businesses in our neighborhood going. Without them Fulton Ferry would have nearly 100% vacant storefronts. Nearly every time I’m out walking someone stops me asking for directions to Grimaldi’s or the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge footpath. And it’s always a very polite foreign tourist. I don’t think that the restauranteur in this case was going to open an establishment that would draw hordes of loudmouthed frat boys.

    The case against this guy is NIMBY nonsense.

  • My guess is that the same people complaining about having a bar/nightclub open until 2am are the ones who complained about the streets being desolate and dangerous at night. I doubt that sandwich shop you wanted would do much for you past 8pm.

  • My guess is that the same people complaining about having a bar/nightclub open until 2am are the ones who complained about the streets being desolate and dangerous at night. I doubt that sandwich shop you wanted would do much for you past 8pm.

  • My guess is that the same people complaining about having a bar/nightclub open until 2am are the ones who complained about the streets being desolate and dangerous at night. I doubt that sandwich shop you wanted would do much for you past 8pm.

  • My guess is that the same people complaining about having a bar/nightclub open until 2am are the ones who complained about the streets being desolate and dangerous at night. I doubt that sandwich shop you wanted would do much for you past 8pm.

  • THERE IS NO GUARENTEE ON HOW LONG A TENANT RENTS AN APARTMENT IN ANY AREA ESPECIALLY AROUND THERE. IT IS NOT FAIR FOR THESE SHORT TERM LIABILITIES TO RUIN A BUISNESS MANS FUTURE WITH A TALENT, BIG INVESTMENT, AND GREAT REASONS. ONE GOES INTO BUSINESS FOR A REASON, NOT TO RUIN ANYONES LIVING HABITS.

    WHY DONT YOU JUST TAKE WALT DISNEY OUT OF FLORIDA???

    I HOPE THIS RESTAURANT GETS THERE LICENSE.

    JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE OPENING A RESTAURANT, DOSN’T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH NIGHTLIFE.

  • THERE IS NO GUARENTEE ON HOW LONG A TENANT RENTS AN APARTMENT IN ANY AREA ESPECIALLY AROUND THERE. IT IS NOT FAIR FOR THESE SHORT TERM LIABILITIES TO RUIN A BUISNESS MANS FUTURE WITH A TALENT, BIG INVESTMENT, AND GREAT REASONS. ONE GOES INTO BUSINESS FOR A REASON, NOT TO RUIN ANYONES LIVING HABITS.

    WHY DONT YOU JUST TAKE WALT DISNEY OUT OF FLORIDA???

    I HOPE THIS RESTAURANT GETS THERE LICENSE.

    JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE OPENING A RESTAURANT, DOSN’T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH NIGHTLIFE.