Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

 

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners is held Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 6:53 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Present – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Gregor, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

Absent – Councilors DaRosa, Mercer and Schuette.

 

Chairperson Moran presides.

 

 

The reading of the records of November 22, 2022 is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk,

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, the *Consent Agenda is APPROVED, on a unanimous voice vote.

 

*THE FOLLOWING PETITIONS FOR LICENSES ARE APPROVED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:

 

HOLIDAY New –

 

Save A Lot (479 Market LLC) 479 Mineral Spring Avenue, LIC#15505

 

VICTUALLING HOUSE First Class Renewals -

Bachini Bakery (Bachini Bakery Inc.)  345 York Ave. LIC#14283

Bufords Family Restaurant (New England Catering Service LLC) 474 Pawtucket Ave. LIC#8550

Cakes By Eboni (Cakes by Eboni, LLC) 560 Mineral Spring Ave. Unit#2-161, LIC#15026

Central Avenue Bakery (Alves & Sons Bakery LLC) 679 Central Ave.  LIC#11935

Darlington Market (3 Star Inc.) 614 Central Ave. LIC#14658

D & D Market (Dante Business Solutions LLC) 548 Smithfield Ave. LIC#14884

Flor Di Brava Food Market (Flor Di Brava Food Market Inc.) 593 Weeden St. LIC#15281

Ja Patty RI Catering & Events (Ja Patty RI LLC) 560 Mineral Spring Ave. LIC# 14239

La Colmena (La Colmena LLC) 341 Weeden St. LIC#14588

Luzitania Bakery (Luzitania Bakery Inc.) 312 Barton St. LIC#5466

Step up Nutrition (Costa, Francisco) 30 East Ave. LIC#14291

Subway (Scetta Corporation Inc.) 745 Mineral Spring Ave. LIC#11500

Wendy’s, #1662452 (Wendy’s Properties LLC) 23 Mason Street (aka 120 Broad St.) LIC#3872

Wendy’s Restaurant #166-10844 (Wendy’s Properties LLC) 368 Cottage St. LIC#4051

 

VICTUALLING HOUSE Second Class Renewals -

 

Local Hero (A.E.E. Inc.) 4 Power Rd. LIC#3694

 

VICTUALLING HOUSE First Class New –

 

Wise Guys Deli Pawtucket (Zey Inc.) 511 Broadway, LIC#15510

(Prev. Armina LLC))

 

 

 

Communication from Captain Timothy Graham, Pawtucket Police, to Richard J. Goldstein, City Clerk. (No incidents at Fab City in the last 6 months) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

 

 

THE FOLLOWING REVIEW OF DBR STIPULATION IS TAKEN UP AND WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE LICENSE HOLDER, THE REVIEW OF THE POLICE DETAIL IS CONTINUED FOR ANOTHER 60 DAYS:

 

Review of DBR required Detail Officer at FabCity Cigar Lounge, 1438 Newport Avenue.

Stipulation.

1.     One Police detail on weekend nights (Friday and Saturday nights) and any night before a State Holiday, as well as on a State Holiday.  Must be reviewed again at the first meeting in December, 2022.

 

 

A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE, WHICH WAS ADVERTISED FOR A HEARING AT THIS TIME, IS TAKEN UP:

 

CLASS B (VICTUALLER) NEW –

 

Bel Sogno Cigar Bar & Grill (Bel Sogno Cigar Bar, Inc.) 1438 Newport Avenue, (with outdoor seating) LIC#15504®

(Previously FabCity Cigar Lounge Inc - with outdoor seating)

Previous stipulations.

1.     The business remains a cigar bar or smoking bar pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §23-20.10-2(15).

2.     Door closed at all times.

3.     No outside Entertainment.

4.     No outdoor service after 11:00 p.m.

 

Speaking in favor is Attorney Michael Horan, 393 Armistice Boulevard, attorney for the applicant.

 

Mr. Horan states that this is a new license, not a transfer.

 

There is one principle in the corporation.

 

The corporation purchased the assets of FabCity and they are entering a into long term lease with the property owner.

 

 

Speaking is Ligia Diaz Martinez, 74 Arcadia Avenue, Cranston, RI, applicant.

 

Ms. Diaz Martinez states that she is originally from Puerto Rico.  She has been a resident of Pawtucket for 34 years.

 

She works with non-profits.  She also worked part time as a bartender and also managed a nightclub in Providence.  She worked occasionally at FabCity when it first opened.

 

She likes to smoke cigars.

 

She states that it will be different from what’s there now. She will soften the atmosphere – it will be more feminine.  She will eliminate the pool table.

 

She will expand the kitchen and menu and will have more flavored cigars for women.

 

Ms. Diaz Martinez will occasionally bring in local artists to perform.

 

She will have security; not a bouncer but a security coordinator to oversee the business, check ID’s, ensure proper liquor management, etc.

 

The hours will be Thursday thru Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for the first 3 months.

 

She plans to open in January, after the first week.  She will have a soft opening.

 

Ms. Diaz Martinez managed a lounge in Providence for five years where she oversaw the entire operation.

 

At the Bel Sogno, Ms. Diaz Martinez will have a manager and 7-10 employees; she will be there as well.

 

There are security cameras at the restaurant.

 

She is aware of the problems at FabCity.

 

She will target an older crowd. It will be remodeled to soften the atmosphere; change colors, no high tables.

 

She would like to add a 2^nd bathroom and expand the kitchen. They are now serving appetizers because the kitchen is small.

 

She wants a place where neighbors can go and be proud of. She states that it will not be a nightclub or lounge.  She will reach out to the neighbors.

 

 

Speaking is Jonathan Flynn, 1381 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Flynn asks the Council not to make the same mistake regarding a cigars bar on Newport Avenue.  He reviews the happenings at FabCity.  He states that cigar bars are inherently dangerous businesses.  A cigar bar is not needed at that location.

 

He states that the neighborhood has gone downhill; the neighbors are crying out for help.  A cigar bar won’t help.

 

He states that the applicant’s corporation is only three weeks old.  The council doesn’t know who the owners are or who will run the establishment.

 

He is ok with a restaurant there, but not with a cigar bar.

 

Mr. Flynn states that the applicant is close with the previous owners.  The council needs to do more due diligence. The financing is with the previous owners. 

 

He asked the Council to postpone a decision on the application and do more due diligence.

 

He notes that banks and other business are leaving the neighborhood.

 

Mr. Flynn likes where he is living. He is concerned that this will be a continuation of problems.

 

He asks why Ms. Diaz Martinez did not stop the nonsense when she worked at FabCity. He wants concreate assurances that this place will not be the same as the prior establishment.

 

 

Mr. Horan states that the property owner has proposed a 4-year lease.

 

He states that Ms. Diaz Martinez is the sole officer and owner.  She will come up with the financing; she can meet all financial requirements.  The current owner will have no interest in the business, but will hold a promissory note on business.

 

Mr. Flynn states that if someone holds a note on a business, then they still control it.

 

Mr. Horan states that it is not unusual that someone uses a promissory note to finance a business.

 

There are no other speakers. The hearing is closed.

 

 

There are no other speakers. The hearing is closed.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIEZ COUNCILOR ARAUJO.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, on behalf of Council President Moran, seconded by Councilors Gregor and Wildenhain, the following license is APPROVED with the following stipulations.

 

Bel Sogno Cigar Bar & Grill (Bel Sogno Cigar Bar, Inc.) 1438 Newport Avenue, (with outdoor seating) LIC#15504®

(Previously FabCity Cigar Lounge Inc - with outdoor seating)

Stipulations.

1.     The business remains a cigar bar or smoking bar pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §23-20.10-2(15).

2.     Door closed at all times.

3.     No outside Entertainment.

4.     No outdoor service after 11:00 p.m.

5.     Police report on activities after being open for 90 days.

 

 

THE FOLLOWING PETITION FOR LICENSE IS APPROVED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:

 

VICTUALLING HOUSE First Class New –

 

Bel Sogno Cigar Bar & Grill (Bel Sogno Cigar Bar, Inc.) 1438 Newport Avenue, LIC#15503

(Previously FabCity Cigar Lounge Inc.)

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Stachowiak, the meeting is adjourned at 7:56 p.m.