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Franklin Park Owner Rejected in Bid for New Bed-Stuy Liquor License

By Camille Bautista | November 4, 2014 3:01pm
 Brooklyn's Community Board 3 rejected a letter of support for a new business' liquor license from Franklin Park beer garden owner  Anatoly Dubinsky   after residents cited concerns over noise and neighborhood safety. 
Brooklyn's Community Board 3 rejected a letter of support for a new business' liquor license from Franklin Park beer garden owner  Anatoly Dubinsky  after residents cited concerns over noise and neighborhood safety. 
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BEDFORD STUYVESANT — Community Board 3 rejected an application for a new restaurant seeking to move into Bed-Stuy — while giving the thumbs up to a second venue — amid fears from some locals that the area is drowning in bars.

Restaurateur Anatoly Dubinsky, who owns Franklin Park beer garden in Crown Heights, was shot down by CB3 for a liquor license application for a new eatery he's looking to open at 1053 Atlantic Avenue.

Dubinsky emphasized there would be no live music or dancing at his new, as yet unnamed restaurant, and he defended his three other area businesses by saying he employs more than 75 people, with 95 percent of them drawn from the local neighborhood.

The community board voted to approve a liquor license for restaurateur Sonya Farrell, who is seeking to open a new restaurant at 506 Franklin Avenue along with her husband, Carver, with whom she owns The Pines in Gowanus.

She said the venue will be more of a place for casual dining than a rowdy bar.

Still, locals were not convinced, saying they're concerned about noise and drunkenness — as well as possible traffic issues at both of the venues.

Atlantic Avenue is one of the most dangerous streets that traverses Bedford Stuyvesant,” said Eugene Compton, a member of pedestrian and bike safety group Transportation Alternatives. “I think the mix of alcohol, people driving — it would make it much more dangerous."

Other attendees mentioned a glut of existing bars in the area including Doris’, where they said patrons and pounding music keep residents up late at night.

“I don’t want to deal with more of that…the lights and the chatter,” said one woman, who identified herself as Lorna of the Lefferts Place Block Association.

Some of those present asked the community board instead to approve “a place on Atlantic Avenue that is ours,” focusing on non-profit and educational venues instead of "too many bars."

The vote is merely advisory with the decision being made by the State Liquor Authority.