Franklin Avenue Thrift Store's Liquor License Application Draws Ire

A Franklin Avenue thrift store's application for a liquor license drew stiff opposition, DNAinfo reported Tuesday.

Cool Pony owners Arian Ben Eli and Craig Judelman went before Community Board 8’s liquor advisory board on Monday. Community members voiced their concerns about the addition of another booze-serving store on Franklin.

“Most of the people I have in my building are working class people with school-age children – I’m concerned about my community and the people who look like me and are trying to make a living and don’t want more noise,” said Karen Granville, who lives opposite Cool Pony

“The neighborhood has changed dramatically, it’s a very loud block, and maybe most emblematic about this change is the Cool Pony store," echoed Simon Folkard, another nearby resident. “When they first opened up I was frankly appalled by their behavior. They were celebrating every single night. It was like they were celebrating that they didn’t have to get up for a job in the morning.”

Community Board 8 said Ben Eli and Judelman – “people who have never run an establishment trying to run an establishment” – had served alcohol at BYOB music events. In return, the thrift store owners argued that they were being unfairly lumped in with other loud Franklin establishments.

"What's frustrating is the community board is supposed to make decisions based on merit," Ben Eli told Patch Tuesday. 

But, she said, other concerns were at play last night. "Our store has come to represent gentrification," she said.

Although the board voted not to support the application, the State Liquor Authoriy will make the final decision.

"It would be nice to have the support of the community but it's not necessary," Bel Eli told Patch.

Ben Eli and Judelman haven't made any decisions yet on how to proceed, she said. 

"I would prefer not to go about it that way," she said.


Amy Sara Clark contributed to this report.