"It’s a Bar Masquerading as a Restaurant," Says Lawyer for Opponents of New Liquor License
GoLocalProv News Team
"It’s a Bar Masquerading as a Restaurant," Says Lawyer for Opponents of New Liquor License
It marks the latest in the legal battle between abutters who are opposed to the license, and the lobbyists and politicians who pushed for a special legislative carve-out to allow for one at the location this year at the Rhode Island General Assembly.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOn Thursday, the Board heard from lawyers on both sides, as well as expert witnesses and opponents to the application in the nearly two-hour long hearing.
SEE VIDEO FROM HEARING ABOVE
Lobbyist Jeff Padwa, representing George Potsidis, the owner of the business seeking a license, argued that the restaurant has gone through the necessary channels to be awarded the license.
“This is Mr. Potsidiss’ dream, to open a restaurant named after his mother serving family recipes…salad, soups, tapas, entrees, desserts…and if we get a licensee, craft beers, fine wines, and cocktails,” said Padwa.
Padwa noted that the business successfully circumvented a remonstrance that had previously barred a license from being awarded due to its location.
“I think we were here about year ago…in June of this year, the General Assembly passed a law exempted [Location] from the legal remonstrance,” said Padwa.
Attorney Andy Teitz, who represents the parties opposed to the licenses, made a number of arguments that that license should not be granted.
“What you have here is approximately 78% within a 200-foot radius [opposed] — that number has gone up in the last year,’ said Teitz, presenting the names and addresses of the opponents to the license.
Making the Case
Teitz in his testimony said that opponents were looking to preserve the “balance” in the neighborhood, and not allow for a precedent that would allow liquor licenses to extend to mixed-use neighborhoods.
“There are two parts to this neighborhood. There are restaurants and retail, then there are streets that radiate out, that have a mix of residential and professional offices," said Teitz. "We want to keep the balance.”
In his arguments, Teitz noted that based on the application, nearly half of the establishment would be bar seating, and that with closing hours of 11 PM during the week — and midnight on the weekend — that the proposed business is more of a bar than a restaurant.
“We don’t believe it’s an upscale fine dining restaurant — it’s a bar. It’s a bar masquerading as a restaurant,” said Teitz.
Padwa said the opponents’ arguments are “the same ones we’ve been hearing for a while.”
“They don’t want the world to change,” he said. “The world is evolving and changing. Wayland Square is not as it was in the 1970s.”
Padwa addressed Teitz’s comments following the hearing.
“He can call it whatever he wants to call it," said Padwa of Teitz' "bar masquerading as a restaurant" line.
"He’s 100% wrong. Mr. Potsidis has had a dream of opening a family restaurant named after his mother, serving his family’s traditional means,” said Padwa.
The Board of Licenses on Thursday voted to consider the application for a final consideration at an upcoming meeting of the body.
As GoLocal reported in April, “Providence Councilor Who Opposed Liquor License Then Got $500 is Introducing Resolution in Support:”
Providence City Councilman John Goncalves is introducing a resolution at the Providence City Council in support of a liquor license carve out — for one business.
As GoLocal reported in March, Goncalves had initially been opposed to a liquor license for a new Greek restaurant in Wayland Square.
Then, after receiving a donation from the owner, he changed his mind and asked elected officials for special state legislation to allow for one.
He said in March he was "unsure" he would introduce a measure supporting the General Assembly bills before the City Council; now, he is.