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Neighbors split as Franchesco seeks beer-and-wine permit after prior temporary permit was disapproved
Summary
A packed Community Board meeting saw sharp divisions over a small Broom Street café whose temporary permit was previously disapproved by the New York State Liquor Authority. Supporters praised its neighborhood role; opponents cited an investigator—s finding of unpermitted spirits and ongoing noise and crowding complaints.
Franchesco, a neighborhood café on Broom Street, returned to the Manhattan City SLA committee seeking authority to serve beer and wine after a prior temporary permit was disapproved by the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA).
The meeting drew robust public comment. Rhonda Roland Sher and several nearby residents summarized the SLA investigator—s earlier findings: an undercover inspector reported bottles of an alcoholic product in plain view, and the SLA subsequently disapproved the temporary permit. "The licensing board —determined approval of this application would not be conducive to proper regulation," one commenter quoted from the SLA notice, arguing that the prior episode reflected a lack of fitness to hold a license.
Supporters of Franchesco, including longtime customers and local shopkeepers, said the café has become a neighborhood hub and urged the committee to allow a controlled, stipulation‑bound license. "They make excellent food and have become part of our community," a frequent customer said. The applicants acknowledged the earlier mistake, described it as a good‑faith error about product classification, and said they accepted the SLA—action and the financial penalty it imposed.
Committee members and residents pressed applicants for clarity on hours, on‑site sound controls and how the business would prevent ad‑hoc late events that previously drew complaints. The applicants said they would accept hour limits consistent with prior stipulations, agreed to close doors and windows at specified times, and said they had begun targeted outreach to neighbors.
What's next: The committee requested written documentation of the applicant's corrective steps, proposed stipulations on hours and noise, and the applicant's promise to report back with any monitoring data. The SLA retains final authority over licensing; the committee's role is advisory.
