March 13, 2015 By Christian Murray
A gastropub is expected to open in the space that was previously occupied by Communitea—although the proprietors will be subject to a hearing in Long Island City following concerns about potential noise and bar saturation.
The establishment will be called The Gantry LIC, located at 47-02 Vernon Blvd, and will be owned by the proprietors of LIC Bar, which is located at 45-58 Vernon Blvd.
Phil Carroll and Brian Porter went before Community Board 2 Wednesday in their quest to get a liquor license. They said that the establishment will place a heavy emphasis on food and that they had no intention to use the existing backyard space. Furthermore, they said there would no live music.
Despite this, William and Beth Garrett, two Vernon Blvd residents, attended the meeting and asked the committee in charge of reviewing liquor applications whether it would be holding a special hearing in Hunters Point where residents would be able to learn more about the establishment.
Garrett said the venue would be two doors down from his house and he was concerned about it since he could hear noise through his walls from Blend, a restaurant located next door. He also noted that there were 13 bars/restaurants within 500 ft. of the proposed location.
Porter said the establishment would be a small space with room for 12 seats at the bar and about 20 in the main area. He said that he would be looking into establishing a sidewalk café in the future, although not this year.
The menu that Porter presented to the board was extensive, offering a range of items such as mussels, lobster bisque, calamari, salmon, cod, burgers and Irish favorites such as Shepherd’s pie.
The hearing in Long Island City will focus soley on The Gantry LIC. This is rare since most hearings in the past have dealt with several establishments at the same time. This hearing is likely to take place in April.
Carol Terrano, who sits on the board, said “how fair is it for a new business to have to wait [until then]. Something about this doesn’t seem right to me.”
Correction: This article originally stated that William Garrett asked for a hearing. However, Garrett did not ask for a meeting, but instead asked whether there was a meeting.
Featured Events
41 Comments
Which one are you? Mr or Mrs? I go to the meetings but a lowly attendee doesn’t have nearly as much say as a board member granted a seat because they can afford to pad the pockets of the local politicians.
the meeting will be april 8th
Date: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: NY IRISH CENTER
10-40 JACKSON AVENUE (DOWNSTAIRS CONFERENCE ROOM)
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101
I’m an LIC lifer, living through the old and new LIC. There are pros and cons about both. How utterly insensitive and rude to a focus on two people who are within their rights to ask for the community board to consider the 500 foot rule!
All this talk about telling them to move, leave and get rid of, what gives you the right! You don’t like what they are saying, speak up at the meetings.
They are public knowledge on the community board 2 website calendar of events. If you all don’t like what the Garrets are about YOU MOVE, LEAVE, SCRAM, BEAT IT! It is their home, their lives. What gives you the right, just so you can enjoy the night out, they live through it EVERY DAY!
All you folks who are obsessed with the Garrets, they simply asked for a standard 500 foot rule hearing. The law requires it and it has in the past been bypassed. So they are totally within their right just as you have the right to show up in support of the license. Get over your obsession. There are better places for your energies.
Any update on the date of this meeting? I emailed above like tanya posted but haven’t gotten a reply.
If you want to know when this meeting is, try emailing the Community Board at qn02@cb.nyc.gov.
I emailed them, did you get a response? I did not.
what are the odds that they hold this meeting privately for CB2 board members only and Garrett gets his way again?
What’s the plan to get rid of Garrett?
Maybe he thought he was doing you a favor by cooling you off in the hot sun. Sounds like a considerate neighbor.
Cut the guy a little slack!
If they didn’t ask to get wet, it’s actually assault. This guy deserves no slack at all, but rather an eviction notice from the entire neighborhood and his corrupted cb2 seat.
i worked at the Lounge years ago and one beautiful sunny afternoon a party of 4 came in to celebrate a birthday. I seated then outside now Mind you it was late afternoon, the sun was still shining and all of a sudden we all felt water being sprayed on us! That imbecile called William Garrett sprayed my customers and myself with a a hose! He really should leave the premises!
Excited to finally learn what the hell ‘gastropub’ means!
It’s just a term yuppies use to describe a bar that serves decent food.
Actually, the term was coined in London in the early 1990s to characterize a pub that had a menu beyond traditional pub fare. Today it means a bar that generally serves craft beers with restaurant quality food and is a term used by far more than Yuppies.
Those Garretts need to either be silenced or leave the neighborhood.
This is insane. This would NEVER happen in Manhattan where we lived for 10+ years and paid just the same in NYC taxes!!!!!!!!
the neighborhood bully/ies need to go!!!!!
Honestly, would you people all just stop for a minute? I’m really bothered by this thread. How did an article about the possible opening of another restaurant turn into a tirade about two people? As far as I can tell from the article, all these people did was show up at the Community Board meeting and air their opinions, which is their right. I didn’t read anything out of line or outrageous about what they said. If you object, then get off your asses and express your own points of view and attend these meetings. Insults and pissy opinions expressed on this blog aren’t going to change anything. If you want that place to open, be civil and show your support to the owners.
Don’t forget it’s all LIC residents’ right. The Garretts are against every restaurants here. Do your homework before speak up, mr. Enough already, AKA don’t-know-anything-but-talking-about-rights!
learn the story behind it and the places who had to close because of 1 person on the community board. Then comment.
Ditto the other Reply to you. There is a TON of history with the Garretts. That’s why everyone is worked up over this.
You obviously do not know what you are talking about.
Agree with all who replied to you. When people commit assault (in the form of pouring water out of their upstairs window on to people having a meal outside (RIP Lounge 47), when people use their influence to silence the overarching community opinion (NIMBY what?) and then further that influence to try and stall the growth and evolution of our neighborhood, you bet we are going to be up in arms.
The Garrets need to go. And those hideous red neon sculptures would also have to go, if they didnt take them down already due to complaints and (unfortunately) threats.
Here’s a few samples of how nuts this guy is —
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/nyregion/thecity/24nois.html?fta=y
http://licpost.com/2013/08/12/new-bar-on-vernon-blvd-set-to-open-thursday/
I do think it’s a shame that this will be yet another restaurant/bar. This stretch of Vernon could benefit from a bit more diversity and doesn’t necessarily need another drinking spot. Or maybe I’m just bitter because I still miss my morning coffee from communitea.
Could we have a special meeting to allow these local business to use their backyards? Seems like a better use of time, then a hearing on one new business by owners who aready established in the area with the great lic bar.
The Garret’s must be either retired or sitting around all day knowing they’re bound to make a pretty penny when they finally sell on Vernon and move since it seems all they do is attend these meetings to complaint. They keep insisting on more meetings so other residents learn more about this business; I think we all know what a gastropub is, we know how outdoor spaces need to be regulated, and we know what is acceptable on a commercial strip. What are residents going to learn at another hearing? That they will serve liquor? We know that. That it will be not as quiet as the Garret’s want? We know that too. These are just obstructionist tactics to delay the inevitable, glad to hear so much support for the gastropub from commenters.
Garretts are entitled to their opinions. If you don’t agree, express your own opinion in a rational manner. Many people do, but some definitely don’t.
Garretts we live near you on Vernon blvd. we have zero noise issues and support the local business. We however have an issue w/your neon signs that were attached to your building. Next neon light will be reported to DOB and CB2. Please move. LIC will be much better and go on and on without you.
The Garretts move into a storefront on a commercial street and are continually amazed to find stores and restaurants there! In the meantime those establishments are increasing the value of their place by several times. They can stay in LIC, but try living on a RESIDENTIAL street.
My wife and I bought here in 1979, when paint factories and heavy industry predominated. LIC has become a neighborhood of people not chemicals. And people need places to gather and unwind. If this means a bit of noise in the evenings, so be it. Perhaps the Garretts can move down to Borden Avenue to get a taste of how the good old days were. More trucks and smells to deal with, sure. But at least they won’t be bothered by any pesky citizens having too good a time. BTW, please everyone who can, turn out for this meeting.
Seriously,William Garrett. No one in this town agrees with you and you should just leave.
Anyone ever wonder why only bars and restaurants are the only thing that ever opens on Vernon? There is no diversity of commerce in this neighborhood because of high rents.
Or it could be that the residents of the area would rather have restaurants in walking distance instead or a chiropractor or exterminator.
I agree with everyone in these comments. The Garrett’s are a nuisance to the neighborhood and causes unnecessary disruption to new businesses. Don’t they realize no one is behind them on this! Vernon Blvd is clearly a majority restaurant/bar/business boulevard. They may not like the changes to the area, but they are the only ones. I for one love all the new restaurants and bars that have been popping up and think this gastropub will be a wonderful addition to the community. I love visiting LIC Bar and believe they will do a wonderful job with this new location as well. I would gladly go to this hearing to express my excitement for this establishment!
I look forward to a new establishment by the owners of the LIC Bar. The LIC Bar is a great gathering place for the community and always very concerned about making a positive impact to our community. Good luck.
You mean to tell me that the heavy truck traffic on Vernon doesn’t bother the person who protested. Vernon is not an avenue to have a single family home. One family can’t hold up progress, which quite has raised the value of their home immensely. The home/building is the worst shape of all others for couple blocks. It’s practically falling apart on the outside.
Omg seriously, “I could hear noise through my walls from Blend”! Get a life Me. Garrett, Geez. Better yet move to a farm, oh but wait he’ll complain about the animals making sounds!
The Garrett’s should just move to the burbs. They are frankly a nuisance to the business community, especially those businesses that are located near their home. They need to realized that they live on Vernon Blvd which means that they are living on the main commercial strip serving the LIC community. It just annoys the hell out of me when people are so selfish.
Oh those people are quite vocal in the community. Those that wish there was outdoor dining in LIC can point your pitchforks directly at them. They also hung those ‘lovely’ neon signs a few years back on their building, an eyesore to say the least.
LIC Bar is an amazing establishment and has been a staple in the community forever. Fantastic staff, clean, and one of the nicest places to enjoy a drink on a warm day.
If they have the cajones to plop down in between Woodbines and Alobar (two other establishments I’m quite fond of), I trust they have some big guns up their sleeves. Best of luck in your endeavor.
Way to go to anyone who agrees that the community shouldn’t refuse new business from opening due to the antiquated and selfish opinions of TWO people (who are related no less!).
You want control over the entirety of what surrounds your home? Buy an island.
This gastropub sounds like it will be awesome – I for one am excited and hope they get the chance they deserve to open!
Garret, move out if you want piece. Will you want to prevent a new place to move in if Blend were to move out? People who move into the East Village are aware of the noise and so should you! No power to W&BG on the community board and their hearings!
That was *peace* not piece obviously. Thanks autocorrect.
Bravo to Carol Terrano for speaking out and no being the usual puppet on a string. You are a unique member of that board.