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Lenox Avenue Church Driving Temperance Movement on Its Block

By Gustavo Solis | October 8, 2015 3:17pm
 The church on the corner of 121st Street and Lenox Avenue is opposing any more beer and wine licenses in the block.
The church on the corner of 121st Street and Lenox Avenue is opposing any more beer and wine licenses in the block.
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DNAinfo/Gustavo Solis

HARLEM — A Lenox Avenue church wants to shut down the party on their street by blocking all new beer and wine license applications.

The Ebenezer Gospel Tabernacle Church, at 225 Lenox Ave., successfully lobbied Community Board 10 to reject a license application of Sottocasa, an Italian pizzeria opening right next door to the church.

“If licenses were granted that would represent the third establishment with such a license on the same block as a house of worship,” said Barbara Noel, who runs the church’s Sunday School program.

The church did not cite any unruly behavior or problems that they have had with the two next door restaurants, BLVD Bistro and Cheri, which licensed to serve beer and wine.

Laws prohibit establishments within 200 feet of a church from getting full liquor licenses. That restriction does not apply for beer and wine licenses.

Still, Noel said asked the community board to honor the spirit of the law when they voted on the license Wednesday night.

“Regarding the state liquor laws, we believe that the intent has always been to protect institutions like schools and houses of worship,” she said.

Sottocasa has two locations in Brooklyn and they are currently renovating their Harlem location. The owner, Luca Arrigoni, described the restaurant as a family friendly establishment with a good track record.

“We have a great history of no problems and people simply enjoying wine and beer with their pizza,” he said. “It is very, very easy going. It is just about family and kids.”

The community board's economic development committee approved their application in September pending letters of support from neighbors. Arrigoni had a petition signed by all of the tenants of the building where the pizza shop will be.

He said it would be much more economically difficult to operate the restaurant withouth the beer and wine license given their business model.

“It would be a lot harder,” he said. “This is not a slice joint where people just go in and out.”

Most of the members of the community board sided with the church (five voted yes, 35 voted no), saying there are already too many establishments that already sell liquor near the church.

One member thought selling any alcoholic beverage could be problematic near a church.

“You can get drunk on wine and beer,” said Community Board member Stanley Gleaton. “You don’t need hard liquor to get drunk. If you’re going to be open at 12 o'clock and if there’s a church service there has to be some concession.”

The restaurant staff are trained not to serve intoxicated customers and, when consumed responsibly, people can enjoy alcohol without getting drunk, Arrigoni said.

Although the community board rejected the restaurant’s application, the state’s liquor authority has the final say.

“I’m very glad that the community board supported our historic church,” Noel said. “You have to respect the spiritual character of the neighborhood.”