SLA Strikes Down Kemistry's Liquor License Request

This article was written by Caitlin Nolan. 

The New York State Liquor Authorityvoted Wednesday to disapprove of Kemistry Lounge's request for a liquor license, saying the controversial bar and restaurant proposed to open on 260 Flatbush Ave. would not serve the best interests of the community.  

"I just don't see it existing it right now," said Commissioner Jeanique Greene of the lounge. 

Kemistry Lounge owner James Brown appeared before the SLA's Full Board Wednesday afternoon, following news of the arrest of his business partner, Leonard Bartletto, in March for allegedly selling marijuana. 

"When I [first] sat down with Mr. Bartletto, he obviously lied to me," Kemistry's attorney, Jerome Sussman, told the SLA. "Mr. Brown has known Mr. Barletto for 12, 13 years, worked with him at Verizon for five years. He knew nothing about a criminal record."

Had Kemistry's liquor license request been approved Wednesday, Sussman told the SLA that Barletto would have been given a $20,000 pay out to walk away from the business. But the Board did not grant the bar its license, despite the break-away from Barletto and other changes Sussman and Brown said would be made to the business. 

The bar had seen significant opposition from locals worried about the noise and overflow onto Prospect Place.

Sussman said an acoustical report performed at the site showed installing soundproof curtains along the Prospect Place-facing glass wall— a point of contention for residents of the block— would eliminate any disruptive sound, and speakers would not have been installed in that area of the business. 

The Prospect Place entrance to the business would not be used unless there was a fire emergency, he continued, noting that no deliveries and no trash would be designated to that entrance as well. 

Arguably the most talked-about points up for discussion, Kemistry's liquor license still requested bottle service, but Sussman and Brown said they would be willing to reduce the service. 

"[Brown] will serve wine and champagne in bottle service throughout the evening as it's requested," Sussman said. "As far as hard liquor is concerned, he is willing to limit that an hour, an hour and a half prior to closing time. We have a very high rent here and we feel that will help us in meeting our overhead."

Sussman said the lounge expected to bring in business from people leaving the Barclays Center, which concerned the Board. 

"All the problems we avoided by structuring [the Barclays Center liquor] license will be created by Kemistry," Chairman Dennis Rosen said. "You even said you want to cater that crowd."

In addition to their concerns of creating an atmosphere specifically avoided when structuring the Barclay's Center liquor license, which stipulates that alcohol consumption must end within an hour of the end of the event taking place at the arena, the Board said their decision was influenced by the numerous statements made by residents of the area, Community Board 6 and elected officials. 

Among the many concerned individuals who spoke a the meeting was Peter Adelman, a lawyer for the group Prospect Place Neighbors, who called Kemistry "a square peg in a round hole."

"It's an enormous amount of trust that has to be reposed," Adelman noted, saying the business had not been trusted by the community, even before the news of Barletto's arrest. "It's simply a radically inappropriate place for a sensitive location."