Thomas Breen Photo
Kica Matos and Moviemiento Cultural lead bomba drum circle at protest outside Grand Café.
Fair Haven neighbors prevailed.
The victory came in the form of a decision issued Thursday by the state Liquor Control Commission.
The commission denied the renewal of a liquor permit for Grand Café. Neighbors organized protests seeking denial of the license renewal because of illegal activity taking place at and outside the 118 Grand Ave. bar. They then brought their complaints to two extended commission hearings. Top cops supported the neighbors, including Fair Haven District Manager Lt. Michael Fumiatti, who testified before the commission. (Click here to read about one of those protests and here and here to read about the hearings.)
Commissioners Anne Stiber, Dominic Balletto, and John McKinney cited “a long and substantial history of illegal activity occurring inside the premise, in addition to the illegal activity in the parking lot,” including evidence of “drugs, fights, public disturbances” and an ongoing “need for police calls.”
They also criticized owner Jose Rivera for being “passive in operating the business” and making “very limited attempts” to address problems or “reach out and be a part of the community.”
“This power to suspend or revoke a liquor permit is exercised conservatively, but mindful that dispensing liquor is a privilege and not a right,” the commissioners wrote. “Based upon the substantial evidence given at the hearing and evidence submitted into the record, this is not a privilege we believe should be conferred upon the applicant.”
“This was a team effort and a community win for Fair Haven. The decision not only revokes the license but makes it clear that this site is inappropriate for a bar and blocks any future granting of a liquor license,” said Karen DuBois-Walton, who led the neighborhood organizing effort along with Kica Matos and Sarah Miller.
“I look forward to the community visioning around what the space can be and working to make it happen. I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to our effort and demonstrated the power of community action.”
Matos called the decision “a testament to the power of community. This victory can be credited to Fair Haven residents who refused to accept the indifference from City Hall and stepped up to protect and reclaim our neighborhood. This is only the beginning, and I look forward to being part of the ongoing efforts to protect and nurture our beloved community.”
“It’s important for the neighborhood psychologically to have a win and know that things can change, that things can get better,” said Miller, who is the neighborhood’s alder.
Thomas Breen Photo
Cafe owner Jose Rivera watches neighborhood protest with patron Julian Welch.
Rivera, who has co-owned the bar since 2008, has 15 days to decide whether to file an application for a rehearing or an administrative appeal in state court.
Rivera’s attorney, David Crow, told the Independent he and his client haven’t yet met to discuss how to proceed.
Crow repeated an argument he made at the hearings: Problems are real, but not the cafe’s fault.
“We understand where the protesters were coming form. We applaud their efforts. It’s laudable they want to make the neighborhood a safe place. We’re not sure running the Grand Cafe out of town is the way to do that,” Crow stated.
Hmm... someone should read CGS 19a-343, all you needed was three arrests on the premises or violating a municipal ordinance and you could have shut them down permanently.