Politics & Government

M. Helen Kitchen Wins Board Support for Full Liquor License

But Velvet Peach Cafe's request was denied.

, the organic farm-to-table restaurant coming to the corner of Carlton Avenue and Park Place had its full liquor license approved by Community Board 8 last night, reversing the decision of the board's economic development committee meeting.

The committee opposed the license for the new restaurant at the intersection  of Flatbush Avenue, Park Place and Carlton Avenue at the request of area residents who said that with the opening of the Barclays Center next year there would be too many bars on that strip, according to the committee’s chair.

But owner Greg Yerman won the full board over last night, saying that in the 20 years that he’s owned (including the six years it’s been on the corner of Flatbush and Prospect Place), there have never been any problems .

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“In the last six years we’ve won three commendations from the borough for beautifying our sidewalk. … We police the area, we secure the area,” he said.

He added that unlike Burrito Bar, M. Helen Kitchen will be a quiet “farm-to-table organic” restaurant, open only from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Only six of the 30 seats will be at the bar, he added.

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Then, pulling out all the stops, he said, “I am myself a local resident, and a soon to be parent—my wife is due with twins in January," drawing applause and one comment from the audience that with twins, he’ll need a liquor license.

“The store has been vacant for three years or longer and here he is going to contribute to the community," said one of the board member after the vote.

The next step for Yerman is to bring the board's approval to the State Liquor Authority, which will make the final decision. 

Yerman said he was “relieved and exuberant and excited” to start his new venture.

According to Here’s Park Slope, M. Helen Kitchen, which is named after Yerman’s grandmother, will serve traditional American cuisine, with a local organic twist (grass-feed beef burgers, whole wheat pasta, etc.) with entrees averaging $15 and up. There will (thanks to the vote) be a full bar and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. There will also be protein shakes and fresh squeezed juices.

Yerman said he hopes to open by the end of December.

January is going to be quite a month for him.

Following the M. Helen Kitchen vote, the board voted not to recommend a full liquor license for , whose owner failed to come to the meeting. The cafe, which but still has the same owner, plans to install a bar with six seats and have live music, karaoke and sometimes a DJ. They plan to soundproof the ceiling to mitigate the noise to the tenats above and will be open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.


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