Hearing Set for Controversial Broadway Bar, State Rep. Steps In

Cries from neighbors, Ald. James Cappleman (46th) and now State Rep. Greg Harris (13th-Chicago) are seemingly not enough to convince one problematic developer from attempting to open a bar on North Broadway.

Sitting on the Lake View’s northern border at North Broadway and Irving Park Road, the Broadway Tavern's owner Burim “Brian Menetti” Mehmeti applied for a tavern license only to have the alderman and the community strongly resist its approval.

Cappleman wrote a letter in late December to the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, citing major issues with Mehmeti’s other businesses like the Lawrence House and the Green Dolphin Street, causing the department to deny the new license.

But now, Uptown Update reports the Buena Park Neighbors association received a letter from the city saying Mehmeti appealed the denial. Now the city has to hold a hearing to see if they’ll grant the liquor license, and according to the lawyer representing the Local Liquor Control Commissioner, every supporter matters.   

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“It is by no means a foregone conclusion that the denial of the license will be upheld,” Rachel Berger said in a letter, according to Uptown Update. “It is very likely that the liquor license will be granted if there are not enough community members at the hearing who are opposed to the license.”

Even Rep. Harris got involved, sending his own letter to the License Appeal Commission to voice support for upholding the original license denial.

“Clearly, our community believes this proposed licensee does NOT deserve this privilege, and supports the denial of the license.”

“Rightfully, the owners of this proposed establishment have long and poor track records of being bad business owners in Uptown, and have run liquor establishments with proven histories of deleterious effects on other Chicago neighborhoods,” Harris said in a letter obtained by Uptown Update. “… Clearly, our community believes this proposed licensee does NOT deserve this privilege, and supports the denial of the license.”

Cappleman’s original letter also talks about the corner of Irving Park and North Broadway, calling it a corner that could be transformed into something great, but right now, it has crime issues of its own.

Broadway Tavern would only add to those issues, Cappleman said.

“It is an area with great potential and interest for development, but the neighborhood has also fought and continues to fight with public intoxication, aggressive panhandling, loitering and other serious quality of life issues that would only be exacerbated by a tavern operating at this location,” Cappleman wrote.

If residents are interested in showing support, the hearing to review the license is scheduled for May 28, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. in room LL 02 of the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington Street in downtown Chicago. 

Those interested in learning more can contact the Buena Park Neighbors or the alderman’s office.