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Board questions how General Meal JP LLC’s liquor application was filed; requests clarification before liquor authority filing
Summary
The Manhattan City Board Two SLA committee flagged an apparent filing of a liquor application without the principal’s knowledge for General Meal JP LLC (177 Lafayette), questioned why a temporary license exists, and asked the applicant to provide written clarification and to return next month before the board forwards a recommendation to the liquor authority.
The Manhattan City Board Two SLA committee on Thursday told attorneys for General Meal JP LLC that the board needs clear answers before it will endorse the restaurant’s application for a wine-and-beer license at 177 Lafayette Street. Committee chair Donna Raftery said the board was concerned that an application and a temporary license had appeared while the principal was not present and that the filing may have proceeded without the principal’s knowledge.
The applicant’s attorney, Andrew Ma, said the proposal is for a small, food-first Japanese ramen restaurant seeking wine and beer as accessories to meals. He described modest hours, 39 seats and no outdoor seating. Ma told the committee the premise has a temporary license “at this time.” The chair responded directly: “You were supposed to come back here before you filed your liquor license application,” and asked the applicant team to step aside to resolve discrepancies and return to the dais for further questioning.
Why it matters: Committee members said the question of who actually filed the liquor application and who manages daily operations affects the board’s assessment of character and fitness and the public interest review. Members pressed whether a daily manager (described in the presentation as Tony and a manager named Hoshi) would be listed on personnel questionnaires submitted to the liquor authority.
What the board asked for: The committee asked the applicants to clarify in writing who filed the liquor application, whether the temporary license was issued correctly, and to supply personnel questionnaires for the on-site manager before the matter proceeds. The board signaled it may “flag” the application to the liquor authority and requested the applicant not to move the liquor filing forward until the committee has seen the requested materials.
Next steps: The board said it expects the applicant to return next month with clarifying documentation, including any DOB approvals that bear on operational capacity. The committee’s position will be forwarded to the liquor authority if the discrepancies are not resolved. No final approval was granted at the meeting.
