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Council approves entertainment permits for Footwork Records and Harvalls downtown
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Summary
The City Council approved entertainment‑without‑dancing permits for Footwork Records (400 E. 3rd St.) and Harvalls (206 The Promenade North) after staff review and neighborhood support; both permits include department‑recommended conditions and were approved by unanimous roll call.
Long Beach — The City Council on Dec. 9 approved entertainment permits for two small downtown venues after staff said interdepartmental review found standard conditions would mitigate impacts.
Financial management staffer Tara Mortensen told the council that both applications underwent review by police, health and human services, and development services and recommended 'entertainment without dancing' permits with conditions limiting hours and amplified outdoor sound. For Footwork Records (400 E. 3rd St.) staff recommended Thursday through Sunday, 2 p.m.–10 p.m., with no outdoor amplified music. Owner Deacon Arete described the business as both a retail record shop and a curated performance space: "Footwork was always meant to be more than just a record store," he told the council.
Neighbors testified in support, saying Footwork has become a community hub for DJs, local artists and chess players. Councilmembers Zendejas and Hernandez offered explicit backing, and the council approved the permit by roll call.
Separately the council approved Harvalls Long Beach’s permit (206 The Promenade North), a change of ownership for an existing downtown bar/lounge. Staff noted the property sits inside the Downtown Dining and Entertainment District and outlined standard conditions under Long Beach Municipal Code section 5.72.0.2; councilmembers again voiced support and the motion carried.
Why it matters: Council approval enables two small businesses to operate entertainment programs with conditions intended to balance cultural activity and neighborhood impacts.
What to watch: Staff and the police department said they remain available to enforce permit conditions; councilmembers asked staff to monitor operations and ticket distribution policies for community access to events.
