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Omaha council approves liquor license for Haven Express Lounge after neighborhood commitments
Summary
The council unanimously approved a Class C liquor license for Haven Express Lounge at 1217 Leavenworth Street after the applicant and neighbors agreed to restrictions including no outdoor music and no regular food-truck operations.
The Omaha City Council voted 7–0 on June 9 to approve a Class C liquor license for Haven Express Lounge, a proposed restaurant at 1217 Leavenworth Street.
David Hton, speaking for the applicant and for Sheila and RJ Comfort Food LLC (doing business as Haven Express Lounge), told the council he and the business owner, Mr. Nun, met with the Soma Homeowners Association and reached neighborhood understandings. Hton said roughly 20–25 residents attended the meeting and that the applicant agreed there will be no music on the patio and no regular food trucks at this time; if food trucks are considered in the future the owner agreed to coordinate with the Soma Association.
Council members repeatedly said the outreach and these on-the-record understandings were central to their support. Council members asked whether the license currently includes the patio; the applicant confirmed the patio is not included in the present license and would require a separate approval to be added. Hton also provided operating hours: Tuesday through Saturday, with last call at 11:30 p.m. and a midnight close.
The council moved and seconded the matter and approved the license by roll call, recorded as passing seven to zero.
The approval was conditioned by the on-the-record assurances noted in the hearing (no outdoor music on the patio, and no regular food-truck operations without neighborhood coordination). A small number of residents (Hton estimated two to four of about 120 homes) remained opposed at the time of the hearing.
