Do We Need More Bars in Bed-Stuy?

Last week at the , The Economic Development Committee held a public hearing on behalf of two residents who are planning to open a lounge, Andrews J. Andrews, on Fulton Street. They were requesting from the board a letter of support for their liquor license.

“We want to be a part of the Bed-Stuy Renaissance,” said one of the owners, who was new to the neighborhood. “The space we’re looking at has been empty for ten years, and we believe the establishment will bring positive energy and vitality to the area, especially at night. We are confident that it will be a beautiful, intimate and great place to hang out.”

However, several board members and community members spoke out in objection: “Maybe you didn’t get the memo or email, but the last thing we need in our community is another liquor establishment,” said one community member.

Others agreed and also objected to the fact the bar would be open on Sundays as late as 3:00 a.m. The debate about whether an establishment that sells liquor would be a good thing for the community continued on for about 30 minutes during the meeting.

Then again, this past Tuesday at the 81st Police Precinct monthly community council meeting, two more women stood up, introduced themselves and announced they would be opening a bar and lounge soon in Bed-Stuy. They wanted to let the community know and encouraged everyone to spread the word.

“Will this bar be serving liquor?” asked Catherine Arline, the council’s president.

The women said “yes.”

“Well, have you gotten a letter of support yet from the community board about this yet?” Arline asked.

Flustered, the women explained that they had secured a letter from one of the block associations adjacent to where the bar would be located. But so far, their efforts to reach the community board were met with no response.

“Well, before you do anything, it’s important you meet with them,” Arline said.

As the neighborhood grows, more and more people are considering Bed-Stuy as a destination for their new business ventures— that includes establishments that sell liquor. Plenty of business that sell liquor have done quite well and also have become a popular destination for Bed-Stuy’s residents, including , and , to name a few.

However, in a neighborhood that historically has suffered from higher than average levels of diabetes, alcoholism, substance abuse and crime, should there be a pushback on the number of bars and lounges that are allowed to open their doors in Bed-Stuy?

Or should the community support indiscriminately all business ventures that will serve to add to the commercial vitality of the neighborhood?

Take our poll, and tell us what you think in the comments.