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Council approves ownership transfer and multiple licenses for Caleb and Broad; entertainment hours amended to midnight
Summary
City council approved transfer of a Class BV liquor license to Caleb Opco LLC and granted related business licenses for the 162 Broadway restaurant; after public comment from nearby residents the council amended the indoor entertainment license to require windows and doors closed and set entertainment to end at midnight.
The Newport City Council approved a transfer of a Class BV alcoholic beverage license and several related business licenses for the restaurant operating at 162 Broadway now organized as Caleb Opco LLC, and it amended the entertainment license hours following neighbor concerns about late‑night noise.
Licensing and ownership transfer Councilors voted to approve the application to transfer the Class BV license from Stone Soup, LLC (doing business as Caleb and Broad) to Caleb Opco LLC, with two holding entities (Thames Capital Ventures and Aquidneck Holdings LLC) named on the transfer paperwork. The council subsequently approved a set of related licenses for the same operator at 162 Broadway: an entertainment license (class A indoors), sidewalk cafe license, and a victualing/business license tied to the new owner.
Neighbors’ concerns and amendment Neighbors raised concerns at the hearing that a proposed entertainment license allowing activity until 1 a.m. could be disruptive. A resident requested earlier closing hours—“10PM weeknights, 11PM weekends,” he said—citing open windows in warm months. Councilors discussed decibel limits and the city’s noise rules; one councilor noted the current indoor license had a 1 a.m. limit but said a 12 a.m. compromise would be appropriate. Matt Lyons, speaking on behalf of Caleb Opco, said the operator was not seeking to expand current activity and would keep doors and windows closed in keeping with indoor license containment requirements.
The council amended the indoor entertainment license to end at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and to require doors and windows be closed during amplified entertainment; the amended entertainment license was approved by voice vote.
Outcome and clarifications - Transfer of Class BV license to Caleb Opco LLC: approved by council vote. - Sidewalk cafe, sidewalk seating, business/victualing licenses for 162 Broadway under Caleb Opco LLC: approved. - Indoor entertainment license (class A) as amended (doors/windows closed; entertainment end time 12:00 a.m.): approved.
Councilors emphasized that the indoor license requires containment (doors/windows closed) and reminded the public that municipal noise ordinances remain enforceable if complaints arise.
