While Community Board 6 has already voted in favor of a liquor license for the Oyster Bar that restauranteur Jim Mamary is opening on Hoyt Street, residents attended a meeting at PS 32 in Carroll Gardens last night to talk about the plan. The session was sponsored by City Council Member Bill de Blasio and the Hoyt Street Alliance, which strongly opposed the liquor license in a residential area. Our Carroll Gardens Correspondent attended the session and filed a detailed report, saying that David Logan, a Hoyt Street resident and member of the Alliance, “stole the show with his poignant words about the impending change of neighborhood character with the opening of a bar.” Mr. Logan noted that it would be “a permanent change” with a liquor license granted to Mr. Mamary for a venture in two former doctor’s offices on a tiny stretch of Hoyt Street between Sackett and Union Street. He suggested that the bar would ultimately “‘exploit the charms” of the neighborhood for “personal gain.” Mr. Mamary, he said, should not “hold a monopoly” on what is right for the neighborhood. His establishment, he argued, would do better in a commercial rather than a residential district.
The session was moderated by Tom Gray from Mr. de Blasio’s office and by Paul Nelson from Assemblywoman Joan Millman’s Office. All told, there were a dozen speakers, and all but one spoke against the new establishment. Speakers cited quality of life, noise, violence, traffic and trash concerns. Some complained that bags of trash would block children’s path to school. Others noted that they already have to use air conditioners on nice summer nights to block noise from Mr. Mamary’s existing wine bar. A CB6 member attended but left halfway through the meeting.
The meeting also drew several participants in the Union Hall saga. That Park Slope establishment also won a favorable vote for a liquor license renewal recently after a bitter fight. They complained of unanswered 311 calls and of complaints that fall on deaf ears and of being told to “just move away.”
The one person that spoke in favor of the new establishment said that Mr. Mamary “changed and helped every property he touched.” Residents were less taken by the potential of the new establishment. “One woman almost cried as she told of how she can never open her windows on a Spring night anymore because of noise and smoke from the Wine Bar,” our Carroll Gardens Correspondent reported. “Bottom line: Hoyt Street is residential.”
Mr. Mamary was asked to speak, but declined, saying that the “personal attacks and pettiness must stop“. One person challenged him by asking about his debts to the landlord of his Schnack property, which was reported on Eater on Tuesday. Mr. Mamary implied that his Hoyt Street property could still end up being a “sneaker store” and handed printouts of negative online coverage as a result of the Oyster Bar dispute to Mr. Nelson before leaving. All of the statements were videotaped and will be sent to the State Liquor Authority.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // May 29, 2008 at 11:04 am
I was there and it was a very emotional defense of a wonderful quiet neighborhood. I also thank the support of the Union Hall neighbors for their warnings and support. In all honesty, I feel that Mamary should cut his losses and and his lease and go somewhere else. Who wants to open a business in the midst of such anger and dread?? 311 and 411 on speed dail. And all due respect to Mr. Mamary, if it was another bar owner wanting to open there, they would get the same revolt.
2 Anonymous // May 29, 2008 at 11:23 am
Is “sneaker store” code for “black people?”
3 B // May 29, 2008 at 11:29 am
Is “sneaker store” code for “black people?”
4 Jason Altman // May 29, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I’m really torn about this issue. I’m all for people getting their sleep and everyone has a right to peace and quiet. But “trash blocking children’s path to school”? That’s pushing it. Violence? I’ve been to Black Mountain (around the corner) quite a bit and it’s always an extremely mellow crowd. Just getting tired of the over-the-top-ness of some of these complaints. This ain’t Westchester, folks.
5 Anonymous // May 29, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Oh Jason, you must live on the side of a highway. This is a residential block, Homes, not bars. And that “black People” comment is just sick. Mamary was making a joke on how that space may just become a store, not a bar. Idiots all of you. I hate Brooklyn and I hate that when I moved here NO ONE would step foot here. Now, some 20 years later people are all hot and heavy for it. hypocrits. Losers. I hate you all. Leave my neighborhood alone.
6 MJ // May 29, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Yeah yeah yeah, and you know what? 20 years ago when you moved here everyone hated you and were pissed and wanted you to leave.
What is this neighborhood except a history of one socio-economic group slowly displacing another?
a microcosm of all brooklyn.
it’s tough to top the meaty, minerally oysters off the coast of oregon, but don’t underestimate the alluring power of the local blue point. bit tougher, bit more work, but well worth it.
7 Bo // May 30, 2008 at 10:08 am
This is so depressing. What’s wrong with these people complaining about trash bags?! Why would anyone oppose an oyster bar? And especially at this busy and commercial location. Union St. is a major Brooklyn through-street (that’s why Union Hall belongs on it too) and Hoyt has been a commercial street for decades (just walk around a look at all the commercial storefronts now used for housing and social clubs.) A long-time resident of Degraw St. told me that there was a pharmacy, a candy store, a food shop and a couple of bars in the blocks between Douglass and Union. And again, if you don’t enjoy the natural and happy sounds of a vibrant city, why live here? Or at least, why not move to a truly residential neighborhood? Oy vey, these self-serving anti-fun and anti-city grumps are so tiresome!
8 ja // Jun 1, 2008 at 7:37 pm
this is a bit ridiculous., theres commercial up and down hoyt street. i live on the block and will support the establishment if it ever opens. fin.