Iron Bar Liquor License Extension Conditionally Approved
Agreement made to stop serving alcohol at 11 p.m. at proposed Gran Cantina Mexican restaurant, reduce bar size, among other conditions.
Photos
Every bar owner should not be painted with the same brush.
That, according to James Cavanaugh, whose Iron Bar liquor license extension into space formerly occupied by Zebu Forno was approved by Town Council Tuesday night.
Councilwoman Raline Smith-Reid cast the lone dissenting vote. Councilwoman Alison Deeb recused herself, citing an "in-kind" donation from Iron Bar for her freeholder campaign earlier this year during a fundraiser.
Conditions placed on the extension for a new Mexican restaurant concept include reducing bar size from 18 seats to 12, and forcing the stoppage of alcohol sales at 11 p.m. The longtime Morristown property owner said he expects the conditions will cause him to lose a lot of profit.
Cavanaugh—known by many as owner of Jimmy's Haunt, which now is the location of a TD Bank—opened Iron Bar in May. Its main floor has often been packed with revelers on weekends, and a downstairs area set to open by the end of this year is expected to add hundreds more.
Some, however, see the Town Council—which also acts as Morristown's Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission—as being inconsistent with approvals.
Just Tuesday night, a proposal by the Walsh family to extend their Tashmoo liquor license for 23 days a year to a 7,000-square-foot outdoor space behind 10 DeHart St. was unanimously denied. The council also denied the Walsh's proposed bowling alley/bar at 10 DeHart St. last summer.
Christine Conti-Collins, of 40 Park, read the council's dissention to the proposed bowling alley/bar, calling for fairness among all applications.
"Addition of another liquor establishment would exacerbate quality of life, parking, garbage, sanitation," Conti-Collins said. "Those are your words, not mine.
"Food is very nice, but you don't need to serve any more alcohol in this town," she added. "Treat every applicant fairly."
Chestnut Street resident Abby Mohr, who has spoken in favor of Walsh-backed proposals in the past, said she was not against Cavanaugh and business partner Daryl Remlinger's "Gran Cantina" Mexican concept. But, "make sure they're treated equally," she said.
Mohr cited William Walsh's Futbolandia No. 2, which was to become a bar/restaurant catering to a Hispanic clientele on Early Street, and the litany of conditions she said the council had placed on it before its liquor license transfer would be approved.
Not everyone at the meeting spoke against the plan.
Danielle DeMargo, a resident at The Highlands at Morristown Station, said she loved the idea of another restaurant coming to town.
And, "serving alcohol enhances the experience," she said. "To have a restaurant with a liquor license, I think it's a good thing."
Nick Kaslov, of Park Place, said that area of town was "all steakhouses" and welcomed a Mexican restaurant.
DeHart Street resident Ravitte Ginsburg said she feared the food part of Gran Cantina, however, would become secondary to alcohol.
"What do we want this town to be," she asked, calling for a balanced mix of urban and suburban features. If bars continue to be approved, "you will become like Hoboken, I guarantee it."
The council did ultimately request conditions be attached to the Iron Bar liquor license transfer. In addition to reducing the bar's size and 11 p.m. alcohol cutoff, they included additional security at certain times and during certain events and an enlargement of garbage storage facilities.
This led Robert Williams, the applicant's attorney, to complain about the proposed conditions.
"Eight people spoke here tonight [against the liquor license transfer,]" he said. "You had a handful of letters. This is a restaurant. Over 50 percent of the space is for support services. Why spend so much money if it was there just to sell drinks?
"This isn't an attempt to mask a bar as a restaurant," Williams said, noting Cavanaugh's Iron Bar has not had any ABC violations since opening earlier this year. "We have to have a level playing field. If there is a problem, you have a right to call them in. But, you have to give people an opportunity to be successful. You can't cut their hands off before they get in the game."
Council Vice President Rebecca Feldman said the same problems with establishments serving alcohol in Morristown's Central Business District have not changed since the council voted to deny the bowling alley/bar on DeHart Street.
"There are too many drinkers in too small an area," she said.
Ultimately, after a 15-minute recess, Williams said his clients would comply with the town's conditions.
While he was glad to get the liquor license transfer approved, Cavanaugh was not entirely pleased with how the night had turned out.
"A few people are unjustly influencing the council," he said. "There have been complaints about defecation, beer bottles. I have not seen it myself. I see more Starbucks cups in town than any other trash from other businesses put together."
Cavanaugh said in the 32 years he has been a businessman in Morristown, only one violation ("questionable," he added) had been attributed to one of his operations.
"I think the council has a valid argument with what's happening in town," he said. "But, every bar owner should not be painted with the same brush. Across several properties, I pay $150,000 in taxes a year. I don't demand much, I don't get back much. That's enough."
Rebecca P. Feldman, Morristown Council
9:00 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
This seems a good place to note that State BYOB laws only permit you to bring beer and wine to non-licensed restaurants. If you'd like a margarita with your mexican food, and don't have time to cook at home, visiting a liquor-licensed mexican restaurant is your only option. Right now, there is no such establishment in Morristown - this would be the first. Still, the Council insisted on the 11 p.m. alcohol cut-off to ensure that this restaurant does not become "just a bar" after dinner hours - this block's late-night "alcohol outlet density" is more than saturated already!
Josh
9:52 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Rebecca- I understand wanting a margarita with your mexican food. Although, wouldn't I be allowed to bring the tequila and the restaurant would have the mix(not sure maybe state law does not allow this). It is what I did many times at Cha-Cha-Cha when I wanted my Sangria, I brought the wine they provided the mix.
John Gesicki
10:32 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
So your whole reason for voting "yes" was because you want people to be able to have a margarita with their taco?! What happened to all the reasons you were so adamantly against the Walsh liquor license transfer and extension of premises?!?
Josh
11:26 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
And after 5 minutes of looking I found 2 mexican restaurants that do not have a license. Also realized that at any of the numerous liquor stores surrounding these restaurants you can purchase premixed Margaritas (just add ice).
Getting a margarita with your mexican food is not as difficult as you claim.
Motown Foodie
11:26 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Some hispanic items I've tried off Tashmoo's menu: chicken quesadilla (best in town!), chicken or steak burrito, chicken fajita, chicken flautas (also delicious!), etc. They also make a very good margarita. There are plenty of places that do the same. I'm not opposed to the Gran Cantina, and I know you don't get out much Rebecca, but c'mon! I know you can't just say "Jimmy is politically connected" but if you don't have something decent to say just stay silent, right?
Dylan
11:27 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Tito's Burritos located on Washington right next to the Famished Frog allows people to bring their own bottle of tequila and they will make margaritas. They have been doing this since they opened. What an absurd statement to make. There is something seriously wrong with you, I have been to a few of the town council meetings and have heard you make ridiculous statements every time. Maybe you should do some research on the State BYOB laws and also the establishments in Morristown that do and don't abide by them.
FunkyMotown
2:42 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Ms. Feldman- you mention that this block's "late-night alcohol outlet density is more than saturated already". Are you implying that connecting a big liquor-licensed restaurant to the largest Motown bar (which still has not even finished its large basement) is going to help reduce saturation? Or that cutting the patrons off at 11pm is going to stop saturation?
Bonnie Arnold Haynes
9:10 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
There are two sides to the "alcohol density" argument. One is that
you have a concentrated strip of bars and joints with drunks
disturbing the town. The other side is that no one is driving
and club hopping. At a University level, they see it as safer.
It is a competent plan presented by competent professionals and
I didn't see the need to scrutizize toilets and bar stools and alcohol serving hours but then I realized that this had been dubbed, the "Mayor's Best Friend," so neither could it be rubber stamped. There are some downsides to being too close to the Mayor.
Alberto
9:00 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Don't worry James, your best friend Dougherty will fix your 11pm problem before you open! Great job! I hope you let Hispanic people into this Hispanic restaurant. The Lord knows we are not allowed in Iron Bar
M. Russell
9:10 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
If you're 21, have a valid ID, not dressed like a thug and behave, I'm sure any bar would let you in. 11 pm is a condition not a problem.
Bonnie Arnold Haynes
10:36 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Rebecca -- and all Town Council Members - a nice young man, which to me is thirtyish, had the courage to walk up to that microphone and ask why the Town Council was so quick to extend and give out
liquor licenses to places that would not let Hispanic minorities in the front door. Most of that room looked too young to remember
Selma, Kent State, the Vietnam War and MARTIN LUTHER KING, but all of the people on the Town Council should be more than familiar with history. Here is a person standing before the Town
Council of Morristown, NJ in 2012 and he says we are running a segregated club system. When I asked the Council and the lawyer
and the other group about it, no one had ever heard that before.
Baloney. I've heard it before and now, so have you.
If Morristown is running segregated anything, say goodby to all federal financing. I don't know what the response was to this
statement but when I regained conscousness, everyone had gone back to toilets, and trash cans. How could any true American hear this and not respond. do we want to be dubbed, Selma 2012?
Could someone on the council please tell me what action you will be taking? One of your male members told me it wasn't his job.
Has he read his oath of office recently. I haven't but I'm betting he commits to upholding all laws. This is a major problem.
Bonnie
Moira
9:00 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Cavanaugh should shut up and be happy he got any expansion.
L Sanchez
7:00 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
They never let me into Iron Bar because I am hispanic. They never let my hispanic friends in. I have one friend that looks white that can get in sometimes when we are not in a group. I feel sad that owner of Iron Bar can open a pretend hispanic bar only for white people.
David Steketee
9:00 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I guess Cavanaugh doesn't notice all the cigarette butts and gum stains around his bars. :|
Motown Resident
9:52 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Amazing, why would the council thwart a thriving segment of Morristown's economy. It was only a few years ago the town had several vacancies and even recently gave a tax rebate to Jimmy himself. If we are in a position to turn businesses away, I think it's time to dissolve the Morristown Partnership and start saving the 1% tax imposed.
This reminds me of the time when the government talked about breaking up Microsoft because they felt it was a monpoly. Right now Morristown has become the hub of Morris County's entertainment, i.e., restaurants, bars, live music, Mayo Center, to name a few. We should embrace this and leverage this strength into the retail portion of the town. Retailers should be extending there hours when shows are at the Mayo Center and Thursday evenings should free parking to encourage retail shopping. Now is the time to create Morristown as the retail hub. Most vibrant areas started with bars, morphed into restaurants and finally into retail shops, let's continue the evolution. I think the council is stuck in the moment and not looking to the future.....................it seems the only people who saw this coming were the Walshes and give Jimmy credit for jumping on the bad-wagon.
Shotbaker1980
11:26 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Comparing the Morristown bar-scene to Microsoft? Sorry, reality just won't stretch that far. Not that anyone with a livelihood tied up in running or working at a bar would know that.
There is an oft-repeated lie, told here by people involved in the bar business in Morristown, that the bar-scene is somehow beneficial to the economy, or that it is somehow enhancing the community. The bar secene is not a "thriving segement" of the local economy The sole purpose of a bar ownership is self-enrichment. A bar has no role in the greater social wellfare. Neither do the people who own them or work in them, though they have somehow been allowed to believe otherwise.
For the greedy people who make their living off the Morristown bar-scene to trash-talk the town as "a joke" or in fiscal, social, or political atrophy simply because a bar can or cannot open is self-serving, self-centered, unfair and irresponsible. And the fact is, we'd be better off without any of you here.
John Gesicki
1:50 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Shotbaker, whether you support the recent influx of bars in Morristown or not, your argument is absurd. Bars do serve a purpose for real people, other than to make their "greedy, self-centered, irresponsible owners" rich. Nice self-respecting people use bars as a place to get together, and alcohol as a "social lubricant" to make it easier to relax and enjoy themselves. People of all income levels, occupations, races, religions, etc frequent bars, from the most successful businessmen, down to the much less fortunate. Escaping the stresses of daily life has value. The employment bars provide people in this struggling economy is only part of the equation. You are fighting hundreds of years of civilization throughout the planet here buddy...
Bonnie Arnold Haynes
10:36 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
We should thank all of the town's business people for their commitment to this town and help make them as successful as possible. I was here in 1979 when this town craashed. It was an empty ghost town. The restaurants, professionals, location and theatre really relaunched it. But if the trash is all over the place, complain. complain complain.
geezer
9:52 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
as long as they don't put peas and carrots into their Mexican dishes (like Tinga Tacquria)
Michael
9:52 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I'm all for this as it will be nice to walk up and grab a couple margaritas on a hot summer day but I don't get how this was approved but the bowling alley and the outdoor area for Tashmoo were no approved?
I don't really get involved in local politics as I've only lived in town about 4 years but no one can deny something fishy is going on here and the council is playing favorites.
John Gesicki
11:26 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
This is more than fishy. This Cavanaugh guy already has a huge upstairs bar, and a 500+ person downstairs bar getting ready to open, and the town council is already approving another connected bar for him before the basement even opens. When it's all said and done he will have over 1,000 person total capacity on one liquor license! Double anyone else in town! Meanwhile they deny a bowling alley bar (something different/new which is the argument they use for this mexican restaurant) and even deny 23 days of an outdoor tent in a hidden parking lot. How they can argue the town can't handle the capacity on Tuesday and then turn around and support this on Wednesday is unbelievable...
Steve
11:09 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Bowling Alley project was NOT denied intellects,get your facts straight before you speak/accuse lol! It was approved with only a request to close roof at 11 or 12pm. No request from council like last night to reduce bar size and cut off alcohol service at 11pm!?! Why in GODS creation would some one actually compare a 1100 sq ft area with a 12 seat bar to a 7000 sq ft outdoor bar/area with a potential occapancy of close to 1000 ppl given the proper means of egress?!?!? I guess because they are def close in size and compacity right?!?! Valid sensible comment!?
Josh
8:38 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Steve - If I misunderstood your post I apologize but,
"The Town Council, acting as the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, voted 3-2 Wednesday night in favor of denying the liquor license transfer to Gracie Sunshine LLC, a proposed bowling alley/bar at 10 DeHart St.
Council members Rebecca Feldman, Raline Smith-Reid and Allison Deeb voted down the transfer, while Stefan Armington and Michelle Dupree-Harris voted in favor. Council members Anthony Cattano and Kevin Gsell were not in attendance."
http://morristown.patch.com/articles/liquor-license-transfer-for-proposed-bowling-alley-denied
Please explain how the bowling alley was not denied?
Tyrone Woods
1:07 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Steve, what the heck are you talking about? The bowling alley was definitely denied. Are you on drugs?
Devin Kuffy
9:52 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
this town is a cesspool & it pains me to say that. Bubble gum, empty packs of Joe Camel & Marlboro Man are found en masse on any particular day. I am waiting for the day to find a kid passed out in the bushes on DeHart. No bueno Morriston. Cavanaugh est mal al la tete'
Ike Mippolito
11:26 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Devin, esto no sera otto bar. Sera un fino restaurante espanol. Solo espero que permitan en nosotros, Big Ern.
Josh
11:53 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Ike - If this will be a fine Spanish restaurant. Then why the need for the liquor license? After all most people would rather better food and to bring their own.
Ike Mippolito
3:14 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Josh - Margaritas! Have you been to La Estacion? You bring your own tequilla and the mix they put with it just isn't the same. If the place can only serve alcohol until 11pm and only has 12 bar seats, I highly doubt it will turn ito rowdy bar with a bunch of binge drinkers. Why are you against it?
Josh
8:29 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Ike - Never said I was against the restaurant. I would actually be very happy with an authentic mexican/spanish restaurant. Just wondering why a decision for a liquor license was based on not being able to have a margarita with my mexican food. I didn't see the same argument when it came to drinking a beer while bowling. As I have stated on past blogs I am in bed long before any of the alleged chaos goes on in Morristown. And I am more than happy to patronize all good diverse restaurants in town.
Cathy
10:01 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
What stops all these liquor license owners from 'expanding' every license to multiple businesses? I dont understand the justification of the council approving the expansion of one license now to two businesses??? They need to establish a patron capacity number to these licenses.
M. Russell
10:36 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
The fire dept, square footage and egress determines patron capacity.
Cathy
10:01 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Not to mention if Cavanaugh wanted a mexican restaurant with the license, why didnt he open that first with his license. Now he essentially had 2 liquor licenses
Alberto
10:33 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Cavanaugh didn't know he wanted to open a Mexican restaurant until he went to the Futbol-Landia Meetings. Then he had his best friend Tim Dougherty make sure Futbol-Landia would never open so he could have the only Hispanic restaurant in town
Alberto
10:33 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
with a liquor license that is
M. Russell
10:36 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Please understand the law before you make incorrect statements. The whole building is licensed to serve. It then is up to what the owner wants to do and the approval that the town grants. It is not two licenses.
Moira
10:13 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Expanding Tashmoo's liquor license to allow outdoor drinking on 23 days is a completely different issue than extending a license to expanded interior space. Why the Walsh family thought they had even a hint of a chance at that is beyond me, but it shows what they really are all about: selling more booze. Doing it outside in an area that would have impacted private residences was a stupid idea.
Why don't they just open up a liquor store?
Karen
11:26 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Very happy to have another restaurant coming to town. What's next? As for the margarita byob discussion. A very successful Mexican restaurant in Hoboken offers the mix for both sangria and margaritas. Creating a byob restaurant forces the restaurant to make better food in order to survive. I would rather have a restaurant with better dishes than another bar to get a crappy margarita at.
2 Faced Feldman
11:53 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
So funny that Feldman makes the first comment. Rebecca, you were exposed last night. Now trying to grand stand that it really isn't a bar. What deal did Dougherty make with you?
The real loser in this is Dougherty. No way the town re-elects him. Lets see who challenges him. Clearly, it can't be Feldman.
Dorris
11:53 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I go to Tito's Burritos all the time and they will make you a great margarita if you bring your Tequila......Maybe town council should review the State's BYOB laws and then make sure all Morristown establishments folllow the law. When I don't feel like cooking and want to go grab a Margarita and a burrito or quesadilla there are many options in Morristown. Tashmoo is known for their large tasty quesadillas and burritos, they also know how to make a great margarita. The Office also has a pretty good quesadilla as well as Famished Frog, Sona 13, etc....You get my point, what a stupid thing to say Rebecca
Steve
2:13 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Way to go Dorris letting the coucil know that Tito's conducts illegal BYOB activity at there establishment!!! Smart move! Thanks for ruining it for everyone!
FunkyMotown
2:28 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Dorris, this is about more than 'dillas and 'rritos! This is about freedom. This is about democracy. This is about drinking tequila and eating authentic Mexican food, with highly charged political undertones!
Rebecca P. Feldman, Morristown Council
12:11 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Correction: It is Morristown's Criminal Code Part 2c, not the State ABC law, that restricts BYOB establishments to beer and wine only.
Matt S
12:48 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I am all for this establishment. The people of Morristown need to either not live there anymore if they have a problem, or accept the fact that any type of business whether it is bar or restaurant is good for the town. Helps the economy folks. And tourism
Back in Mo'town
1:29 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Some of you are complaining because there are too many drinking establishments within a small area. Wouldn't you rather have that situation so the police could patrol the smaller area and control it better with a smaller manpower. You start spreading more and more bars on the outskirts and the police will be stretched further than needed. As far as the approval of the license I do agree that they actually made one license become two but, it being a restaurant, they should actually close the entire establishment at 11.
Just my opinion and you know what that everyone has one of those!
John Dunphy
1:31 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
As an aside for anyone wondering about the liquor license extension. It's not unique to Morristown, as the owners of nearby Roots Steakhouse and Urban Table, Harvest Restaurants, has the same situation.
Steve
2:13 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Well put and 100% accurate/fact Mr Dunphy, finally some intellectual imput.
FunkyMotown
2:18 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
If you want a quality 'rita, you should avoid using crappy store-bought Margarita mix. Anyone can add tequila to Margarita mix. Best 'rita in town WAS further down South Street at David Todd's this summer (the fall cocktail menu is nice, but no fancy 'rita). It was a margarita with Habanero-Pinapple Infused Tequila (sweet and spicy and tequila'y).
Also, just because a place serves burritos or quesadillas does not make it a Mexican restaurant (please refer to Urban Table's menu...similarly, serving sushi doesn't qualify you as a Japanese restaurant).
As far as I can tell, there is not a Mexican restaurant that can serve you various Mexican food items (i.e. more than just 'dillas and 'rittos...) in addition to a REAL margarita. I'm talking various kind of Mole dishes in addition to various kinds of Margaritas. Of course, who am I to speculate what the Gran Cantina's menu will contain?
Here's a unique restaurant idea that NYC and 'boken allow, that Motown does not....where is there a brunch place in Morristown, where we can drink mimosa's on Sunday? In Downtown Motown! And can we please change the law so we can drink a Mimosa on Sunday before 11am. What a buncha fascists!
Susan
3:14 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
More brunch options would be a good addition!
Bonnie Arnold Haynes
10:36 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Guys and gals - yes it would be great to have the greatest Margarita but it would be even better to have a great democracy and freedom from discrimination. If anyone has been turned
away from a "white" bar, we just went back to 1952. Margarita or not. Bonnie Arnold Haynes
Fedupwithfeldman
2:42 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Ok Rebecca, so why is Tito's Burritos an exception to the law? I agree with Back in Mo'Town....there is no reason that they shold be allowed to stay open after 11 if they are claiming to be more of a restaurant than a bar. This is all such a joke.
Steve
3:14 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
There not and Dorris just blew up there spot! Thanks again Dorris for unvaling illegal activity! Yea so now all places claiming or considered to be a restaurant will have to stop service/sale of alcohol at 11pm upon renewal of license next year!!!! great job with all the bickering!!!!
John Gesicki
9:10 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Everyone should have to abide by the law! If Tito's Burritos is breaking the law by making margaritas then somebody should report them! The only exception should be that if you are best friend's with the mayor then you can do whatever you want! Everyone else should have the same set of rules.....
Lisa
2:42 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I support all restaurants/bars, stores, coffee places, etc in town.....I Think LOCAL and Shop in Morristown to support the businesses that all spend alot of money themselves to be in business. That's what helps a town flourish and succeed, it gives jobs, even part-time ones to people that need work. If someone spends a whole lot of money on a liquor license and buying a building that is zoned in a commercial area then they should be able to get past the town council. Especially if they are willing to comply with all additional health and safety restrictions. I go to Tashmoo all the time, I don't drink alcohol but enjoy the atmosphere and they have Great food. It's one of my favorite places in town and I know many people that would agree. I am 40 years old, a realtor in town with 3 children. We go there every friday night for dinner and sometimes later in the evening with friend. It is never overly crowded or loud and the kind of people that frequent it are nice, it is the kind of place that we are lucky to have right in the center of town. I have lived in Morristown my whole life and like to see new places open, it keeps the town vibrant and exciting. Being a Realtor all I can tell the people complaining on Community Place is that they paid way too much. The whole town shouldn't be wasting time trying to keep them happy. It is my understanding that where their building was constructed was originally zoned commercial, too bad they didn't keep it that way.
Motown should be fun
9:10 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Good post Lisa! I wasn't aware those Community Place residences were originally zoned commercial, that makes it even worse, but I just can't understand why the Town Council is so terrified to upset such a small number of people. A bowling alley would be awesome! So many more people would be delighted to have it! Is there any possibility that can be brought back up?
FunkyMotown
12:35 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
The Community Place residences stand out like a sore-thumb...well, more like a very expensive, over-the-top sore thumb. I don't know if they are even fully occupied (perhaps they are just 2nd homes for the residents). Regardless, I am surprised that these residents were able to use the "it's going to be too loud and trashy" argument (has anyone else heard those loud yippy yappy dogs?!).
Why live in a downtown area with a growing nightlife, if you are going to complain about the downtown area growing its nightlife? Is it because these residences don't partake in the nightlife? Is it the large amount of property taxes they must pay, that gives them such a loud voice?
A bowling alley really would have been unbelievably exciting and new. And yes, there would be drinking; however, there would also be bowling. Bowlers are respectable people.
Can the Gran Cantina add a few bowling lanes? I just want to be able to eat authentic Mexican food, drink a delicious Margarita (that isn't a pre-made mix), and bowl at the same time. That is certainly not too much to ask for...This aggression will not stand, man. I thought this was 'Murica?!?!
roger linden
3:14 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
rebecca..this is exactly why the town council should not be voting on any nj abc issues until or unless a representative from trenton can be present or at least consulted. the council can not know all of the nj abc laws, nor should they be expected to. the decisions that are being made by this council have serious repercussions for the people involved and the people that they effect. first find out if something is legal according to trenton, then ask questions, then let your constituents know what's going on, get your feedback, and then vote on these issues,\.
roger linden
3:14 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
@john dunphy....i believe that roots and urban are directly next to each other, aren't they? is there a storefront that is between iron bar and the proposed new restaurant?
if that's the case....it makes a big difference.
Shotbaker1980
9:10 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
@John Gesicki -- That comment crediting bars with supporting "hundreds or years of civilization throughout the world" is wishful thinking, not to mention self-serving in and of itself. But I'll play along here:
That said, I'd be interested in hearing why, given the value to people getting together and escaping stress, you have a problem with another one opening?
Steve
9:10 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
A retail consumption licensee may apply for an “Extension of Premises” to extend or expand the area on which alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises may be sold and served. The extension area must be contiguous to or adjoin the permanently licensed premises. They had that, met the requirement.
M. Russell
9:10 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
The whole building that Iron Bar is in IS LICENSED. It is the owners option and then action of the council to determine which areas will be allowed to serve and under what conditions. The owners accepted the decision of the board with their conditions of operation. What is the problem? Fotboladia could have accepted the conditions as well.
If the Morristown Bar/Restaurant owners were really smart they would stop infighting and use their collective voting power to only support and elect those council people that understand that Morristown's downtown future lies in its bars and restaurants.
NOTE: 40 Park condos were actively marketed as "steps away from bars, restaurants, shopping and entertainment". So don't tell us you didn't know the area.
The hospitality venues of downtown is really the only attraction of downtown. Retail can't compete with online or malls and financial institutions probably have reached the saturation level.
Town council should embrace the changing dynamic of downtown and support the bar/restaurants in every way possible.
PS: If you're 21, have a VALID ID, arn't dress like a thug and behave, Iron is open to everyone.
FunkyMotown
1:07 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Are the 40 park residents complaining about the downtown growth? I thought it was more the Community Place residents...
You are absolutely correct that the council should embrace the changes that are and have been occurring, especially when these changes are seemingly POSITIVE for Morristown. It's not like the past 30 years of town development have left us in a bad position. How can anyone really argue that the growing nightlife has not helped the town?
Morristown's reputation has been growing, and this town is actually becoming quite sexy. Rumors of Jets players in town (okay, yea I agree, when Giants players begin hanging out in Sona or Iron Bar, it will be a better indicator). We even turned down Snooki's MTV reality show! We still have standards, see?
FunkyMotown
1:15 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Oops, yea I missed that detail above, you are correct about the 40 Park residents complaining also...awkwaaaard. "You chose to live above the Motown bar scene, yet you complain about the Motown bar scene..." hmmm
Bonnie Arnold Haynes
10:36 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
OK don't laugh because I don't say this to be funny but being
denied a Margarita is a violation of the law and a human rights abuse. Ok I can hear the human rights and drinks jokes but when you are done laughing, think about it. It is the truth.
FunkyMotown
12:52 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Bonnie, I agree this is not a laughing matter...It is criminal to deny someone a margarita based on discriminatory reasons. We need to create a Morristown Margarita Memorandum...