Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Just say "No"

Comment Up
Although a fairly new establishment,
it is beginning to look like the neighborhood.

Just what we need in Lake Worth--more places that sell beer and wine to winos in "go cups." There is no inside seating. You order from a window and take your food and drink to go or you can sit on a picnic bench that is provided between the two small buildings.

The Venus Cafe is located at 1414 Lake Avenue situated west of the railroad tracks in a zoning called MIC-1 - Moderate Intensity Commercial, soon to be changed. Not only do we have multiple establishments in our downtown that sell booze, wine and beer, now a business wants to sell alcohol in our district west of the Shuffleboard Courts. They are seeking a 2COP license and a proximity waiver at tonight's city commission meeting and they will probably get it because there are so many who are paranoid about law suits and well, just because everyone gets waivers in Lake Worth.

Residences surround this establishment on all sides. Immigrants are constantly spotted walking drunk in that area with open containers. It has been an on-going problem for years as they stroll down our alphabet streets, urinating on the bushes. It's tough to hold that beer. There are 5 other establishments that sell beer and wine within the 400 feet city code. Plus there is a church.

What our Code says:
(a) Prohibitions. No alcoholic beverage shall be sold:
***
2. where such place of business is within four hundred (400) feet of a church, public or private school, park, library or other place of business of a person holding a beverage license.

Does every business come into the city and say to themselves, "Not to worry...we will get that waiver to sell whatever we please or build higher, or build to the sidewalk." Are we known as an easy mark?

As Greg Rice would say, "Lake Worth is a great little drinking town with a beach problem." Even though this was a funny quip, Greg might be closer to the truth than we know. When is enough enough? When can the City just say "No?" Ever?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have you eaten there? The food is great, very reasonable prices, and the kitchen (you can see the food being prepared thru the window) is spotless. The owner,who is Greek, is very nice and hardworking. I heard about the place from several downtown merchants who get their lunches from there. I'm sure he chose this location due to price. A great many people enjoy a glass of beer or wine with their dinners. I doubt if his intention is to turn his business into a neighborhood bar. Unfortunately, there aren't many places around where you can get quality food for under $5.00. I wish this hardworking man all the luck and good fortune he deserves.

Lynn Anderson said...

There will be no bar--it is an open space.
But of course, you would want them to sell beer and wine in open containers. Why doesn't that surprise me?

Anonymous said...

I have newer there been when a server has not brought me my order.
Yes,you do go up to the window to place order.
Lynn,you have never been there,is a beautiful awning,that covers 6 or 7 outside dining tables.No park benches.

Lynn Anderson said...

Well, I was just there when I took this photo.
Your beautiful is not mine. But not to worry, Mr. Stratis, you will most likely get your waiver and we will get to see more and more people in that troubled neighborhood walking around the streets with go cups.
L

Anonymous said...

Why should he be treated any differently than merchants on the east side of the tracks?? West side merchants NEVER go to city hall to whine about
electric bills
zoning
parking
assessments
biz fees

The problem is not a guy who wants to be able to sell beer & wine with the meals he sells. The problem is a business like the skanky trash-strewn convenience store that sells beer to people even though they're already drunk and lets them hang out all around the property staggering drunk and urinating all over the place.

Why don't you go after THAT guy??

Lynn Anderson said...

I'm with you...let's get rid of that skanky trash convenience store. Perhaps the owner of this little cafe will be careful who he sells beer to.
I don't have a problem with the owner wanting to make more money with his investment. However, it is against our Code and our Ordinance. Does that mean anything? Why do we have Ordinances at all?

Anonymous said...

Yea it really looks like you were there when you took the photo from as far away as you possibly could, sneaking through some bushes and trees to take the photo. It looks like you got a good close up of the business and operation.
So in your estimation someone taking over a run down death trap, refurbishing the place and starting a business in a section of town not many people are looking to invest in is a bad thing?
A self proclaimed "conservative" openly trying to squash an entrenpaneur? I thought you all were for small businesses and LESS regulations. Now you want to regulate what the small business owner sells?
You're no conservative, just a confused republican that doesn't understand what true conservatism is.
Thanks for the tip. I'll be going there for lunch every day. I'll wish the owner good luck and take my beer to go!

Lynn Anderson said...

The photo depicts the entire building for what it is.
Next, the blog was about the constant BREAKING OF OUR LAWS by giving waivers to whomever ask. It was never about the business.
Hopefully, when you walk off with your beer in an open container, your beloved PBSO will be there waiting for you. Be sure to call me so that I can take that photo.
L
P.S. Let's do away with all laws in LW. Then we don't have to continue to give waivers to your best buds.

Anonymous said...

Doing away with all the laws, isn't that what Sharpe and friends want? Build to the sky.

Anonymous said...

This place closes at 11p. It will be a problem down the road with all the immigrants there drinking outside. This is not helping the neighborhood but only the business to make more money off the poor immigrant.