Catching Up…Keeping Up with new, renewed or corporate change licenses at the State Liquor Authority is increasingly more complex, but thanks to Memorandums of Understanding executed through NoHo-Bowery Stakeholders, Inc. repurcussions from increased density have been minimized…or altogether prevented.

This month’s list (hearing at St. Anthony’s Church, May 16th at 6:30 pm) includes:

Circolo, 45 Bond St. –   What was previously Mercat, then briefly a South American themed, tequila-based restaurant with a new corporate partner, is now an Italian restaurant applying for a Corporate Change and a sidewalk cafe – which was expressly prohibited in all community agreements since the venue’s opening in 2006.  There has been much discussion, including a Sunday meeting April 28th between the applicant and Bond St. residents and stakeholders.  The sidewalk cafe liquor license is still opposed.

Can Carlos NYC, 5 Bleecker St. - proposed new proprietor and venue at the location where we have enjoyed Bianca for many years.  The original application requested a full OP license.  Since this location has never before had one and since it is in one of the most dense locations of NoHo for OP licenses, we have opposed the granting.  The prospective new operator has withdrawn the OP license request and will seek a wine and beer only license. The plan calls for the restaurant to be more exclusive, serving half the currently patrons at higher price points, and closing by 11:00 pm.

And here’s the most recent run-down of 2013 applications and approvals to date:

Subculture, 45 Bleecker:  With a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place as of January, this location beneath the Culture Project (theater) will offer music, comedy, dance entertainment with a wine and beer license only and prepared food.  It has been built to accommodate theater-in-the round as well as small table seating.  It will close at 12:30 a.m. Sunday thru Wednesday and at 2:00 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Sunday morning).  Marc and Steve Kaplan are the owner/operators and have, already, demonstrated sincere interest in being a compatible NoHo neighbor.

The Culture Project, 45 Bleecker St.:  Will be applying for a wine and beer license for the concession stand only in the lobby of their theater to accommodate theater patrons only.  We are very pleased to have The Culture Project return to NoHo and the cutting edge productions for which they have made their reputation.  They will sign a MOU attachable to their license.

Bolo, 328 Lafayette St.:  Bobby Flay and Laurence Kretchmer (a NoHo resident) will re-create their former Bolo Restaurant on 21st St. at this location.  After several months of discussion and negotiation with their neighbors, their new space will accommodate a maximum 175 people; it will close at 1:00 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 2:00 a.m. on days of operation beginning on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  The MOU attached to the full On Premise SLA license stipulates to strict measures as regards security, management of events, kitchen venting, HVAC sound, waste storage and removal.

Lafayette, 380 Lafayette St.:  Josh Pickard, Andrew Carmellini and Luke Ostrom have now opened their new NoHo restaurant at this location, Lafayette, with a smashing new interior.  Says Yelp:  ”The spacious and beautiful art-deco ambiance with a sense of downtown cool is unrivaled in Manhattan. It’s definitely worth a special trip.”  Lafayette Street Partners re-affirmed a previous Community Agreement in a new MOU with NoHo-Bowery Stakeholders, Inc. stipulating to a maximum capacity of 336; closing at 2:00 a.m. Monday thru Sunday; a sidewalk cafe of 84 seats.  Additional stipulations cover strict measures as regards security, management of events, kitchen venting, HVAC sound, waste storage and removal.  We are more than confident that these operators will not only contribute their historical cache to NoHo but their symbiosis with the neighborhood.

Duane Park/Bowery Poetry, 308 Bowery:  Recently opened, this venue negotiated for more than four months to secure a location in NoHo with some pretty signifant opposition.  What has resulted is an usually sophisticated and novel contribution to the food, beverage and entertainment profile on The Bowery.  The transformation at this location is nothing short of amazing beginning with the decor followed closely by the menu, if not the entertainment.  Duane Park Tuesday thru Saturday (food and burlesque) and Bowery Poetry (spoken word) on Sunday and Monday, it is certainly eclectic, though the Duane Park operation and attention to detail dominates.  The MOU speculates the establishment will close at 1:00 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 3:00 a.m. on days of operation beginning on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; no more than 92 patrons on the premises; there will be no sidewalk café.  Strict measures as regards security, management of events, kitchen venting, HVAC sound, waste storage and removal have also been stipulated.

Crif Dogs, Elizabeth St @ Houston:  Withdrawn.

In discussion for operating issues:

Heche en Dumbo – has an addition to the restaurant and to the license which has never been reviewed.  There have been two CB#2 hearings and a complaint issued with the State Liquor Authority.

Five Points – Kitchen venting issues.  In remediation.