Chinatown Market Liquor License Suspended?

I just walked by Goods Carryout at 10:30 tonight and there’s a crew working late on some major interior renovations. Their new shelves look pretty spiffy.

The suspension notice was down at Chinatown Market when I passed by there, so I think their suspension is over.

Chinatown Market has been in the neighborhood for many many years. They should be able to sign the agreement to stop selling single bottle beer and be able to compete with the neighboring busineses; Goods is Korean owned, Chinatown Market is owned by Chinese that have been in the neighborhood since it was Chinatown.

The license was suspended from 3/8/07 to 3/12/07. Not much of a suspension, but at least it’s something. I couldn’t tell from the signs on the windows the exact reasoning for the suspension…possibly something with titles 23 and 25. Signs are gone now… – Mark

suspension is ok…but will it be enough? or will the owner have another greedy relapse. that store is the WORST neighbor. the cant get heavy enough on that licensed establishment.

Thanks everyone for your updates!

I noticed that CM has three new signs posted outside of the store saying no loitering, etc – but they also say that the area is under video surveillance. I don’t know if I quite believe that one. I’m no expert on spotting video cameras, but I didn’t see any cameras outside.

As a new resident of Gallery Place, I see the big problem isn’t the addict standing on the corner, it’s the licensed vendor inside selling singles to consumers who are already intoxicated. I tell guest to steer clear of that side of the corner. Had I known the history of that store I would have looked elsewhere.

James: Thanks for writing in. I’m sure CM’s days are numbered.

THey had a Show Cause Hearing this past week on the 7th. Scroll all the way down.

http://app.calendar.rrc.dc.gov/eventDetail.aspx?eventId=5979&eo=9901&thisDate=3.7.2007&cdlCalendars=16

Show Cause Hearing—3:30 pm

Shu Kwan Ng
t/a Chinatown Market
521 H Street, NW
Retailer Class B License
License No. 19616, Case No. 7613-06/052C
(Issue: investigator’s report approved on 7/7/06, case no. 7613)

Dave: Thanks, what exactly does “Show Cause” mean?

I have no personal insight. But from the FAQ at

http://abra.dc.gov/abra/cwp/view,a,3,q,565470.asp

Show Cause Hearing – The Show Cause Hearing is an adversarial proceeding. The parties to this type of proceeding are the respondent (license holder) and the prosecuting attorney (Office of the Corporation Counsel). This hearing occurs when there has been a violation of the ABC laws and/or regulations. Issues concerning the “appropriateness standards” are not addressed in this forum. The prosecuting attorney determines the witnesses for the government. At the end of the proceeding, the ABC Board may suspend, revoke, or fine the respondent. A Show Cause Hearing is open to the public.

James F,

That store’s days are numbered, if for no other reason than the real estate is too valuable. We’ve got two new office buildings going in on 6th St NW, 777 6th and 700 6th (the asphalt parking lot next to the Verizon Center; ground will break on that soon). Once those building have tenants you’re going to have hundreds of people wandering around at lunch.

A “market” that caters to single-bottle sales can do a lot better by selling the property to a developer or changing its business model. Hot dogs anyone?

Just give it some time.