Is God Making Harlem Noshless?
An article in today's New York Times about the restaurant situation in Harlem mentioned something I had not thought about before. State law prohibits serving alcohol within 200 feet of a school or place of worship, and as the article points out, "in some sections of Harlem, there is a church on nearly every block."
I live in one of those sections.
Most of us are familiar with some version of the equation Brian Washington-Palmer, the owner of Native on 118th and Lenox, gave in the article: "food pays the rent; alcohol pays the profits." I had assumed when I moved here that when Harlem reached a critical mass, bistro style restaurants like Native and Elle & Lui would start popping up. Given the number of Harlem churches in my area (Lenox between 116th and 125th), that might be a little more complicated.
But for those who mistakenly think that Harlem is a culinary desert, I politely direct you to Uptown FLAVOR.
Comments
Is there any kind of "I was here first" clause? What happens if a church opens up next door to my bar? Do I have to stop serving alcohol? And if I do, why haven't all the LESers complaining about nightlife noise started churches all over the place. ;)
Posted by: Scott T. | April 26, 2006 09:46 AM
This is an ongoing debate.
But you would think that they don't allow schools and churches to build next to already existing businesses that sell alcohol. But you never know....
There has been a huge deal regarding a lot of restaurants existing and attempting to exist that are being hindered because of the laws.
Smart business owners will look long and hard at locations before they invest because the city and the powers that be (or friends thereof) will use whatever means they want if they decide they dont want your business in a particular location
Posted by: jaye | April 27, 2006 08:11 AM