Help!

[tygra]

I need your help. We live near a restaraunt establishment. It was closed several years (which actually was nice ) - recently we received a note to either vote for or not for a new owner getting a liquor license. They stated they would make @ 90% of profit from food. So why am I hearing loud talking at 2 in the morning? Tonight, unlike most weekend nights where I'm already home, I came home to cars lined up and down the street at midnight. Scares me - stray bullets, nightclub?? not what we signed up for - souped up card, loud car noises.

Who do I contact - our alderman??

Thanks for listening! It was so quiet around here until now....

any advice appreciated on how to STOP this nonsense!

 

[Bunbun]

Definitely contact your local politician. If you can, get your neighbors to sign a petition and/or talk to the politician about the problem. Maybe a group of local residents can talk to the bar owner, if people can do it in a nonconfrontational way. Not sure, but you might also be able to file a formal complaint with the liquor licensing board? Are there zoning regulations/noise restrictions in the neighborhood? Another way to escalate the fight, if necessary, is to go to the local media about the problem. But I'd start wtih the other steps first.

 

[kathryn]

I agree with Bunbun's advice.

But I have a question: if the owner doesn't have a liquor license yet (sounds like you have to vote on that), why is there all the noise and rowdiness?

And wouldn't a "no" vote take care of that?

 

[tygra]

HI! Thanks for the tips!, I will definitely try them!

Sorry, I meant to say that the vote has gone through, but it did say that they would make their money from food, not liquor. I think people either didn't vote (as most people don't) or voted okay based on where they'd make their $ from. There was a previous rest. there that was a nice, quiet establishment. This is now a "sports bar and grill"

 

[Mocha]

This is Mocha's DH here... she solicited my help because I worked in this industry for several years.

First of all, sorry you are going through this! It sounds very frustrating.

Unfortunately, once a business is in place and they are making money, there is not much people can do to get it shut down or changed just because the neighbors don't like it... unless: 1) they are in violation of a rule/law or contract 2) You get the rules/laws changed (re-zoning, noise ordinances, etc.).

The easiest thing is to see if they are in violation on current rules:

**Check about noise ordinances in your town. It may require them to keep guests inside (not on a patio) with doors closed after, say, 10 PM to keep noise down. I worked in a bar once, and if we left a door open after 10 PM we'd get a visit from the local police for a noise violation- and we didn't even have homes near by.

**Contact the Liquor Board and look at the Liquor Licence application/petition. Did it really say 90% profit from food?! I find that number hard to believe. In the industry this just doesn't happen, especially in a "Sports Bar". (If in fact that number is true, don't worry, they'll go out of business soon anyway. ) In my experience this is only the case for small lunch deli type businesses where wine or bottled beer is sold along with sandwhiches, etc., but the alcohol itself is not the draw; these types of business aren't open 'till 2 AM. In theory they could sell their liquor so cheap that they don't make money on it; instead, they would make money on door charges and appitizers. Even this is unlikely; cheap booze makes lots of money (cheap drinks cost 30 about cents to make). If they are making more from alcohol then they stated (and they probably are), see if there is recourse with the Liquor Board.

**Call the cops when ever they violate a rule/law. EVERY TIME. Many states have strict liability laws, holding bars responsible for their patrons' actions. If a customer drinks and drives, the bar is liable. If an intoxicated person pees in your lawn, the bar is liable. If a fight breaks out 3 blocks away between people who were at the bar earlier, the bar is liable. You get the point. Don't be afraid to call the cops, and don't hesitate to take them to court (even small claims). This, of course is a much more confrontational then you may want/need to be, but it's an option.

Next, if there aren't sufficient regulations, check about getting these rules/laws changed through your local politition, petitions, etc.

Good luck!

 

[tygra]

Thank you for your help! I have work to do!