SLA denies liquor license for Gramercy bar after year-long struggle

Following a year of community opposition, the New York State Liquor Authority has denied an application for a liquor license for a wine bar at 38 Gramercy Park North, a co-op building, Town & Village reported. Local residents and police from the 13th Precinct had been concerned that a wine bar would increase traffic on the already-congested 21st Street. Another reason for the opposition may have been the possible undisclosed interest of one of the owner’s fathers, who has a criminal record, according to a source at last Thursday’s community board meeting. Arlene Harrison, president of the Gramercy Park Block Association who started a committee to stop the wine bar from opening, praised the SLA’s decision and the community for banding together to preserve the property, which — according to Toni Carlina, district manager for Community Board 6 — hasn’t had a food or liquor license since the 1920s.
Would-be bar owner Cole Miller, who owns The House restaurant on East 17th Street, was not available for comment. [Town & Village]