RSS FeedMake Your Voice Heard On Chinatown Market’s Liquor License Renewal Application
Protest letters sent as of 1:30pm 9/1/06: 17
It seems that there is enough interest in Chinatown Market’s liquor license renewal to post this info. We realize that there are people on both sides of the issue. But, for those of us who have lived with the loitering and public drinking & intoxication long enough, here is your opportunity to speak out.
A resident has provided a sample/template letter that you can send to the ABC complaint coordinator (Cynthia Simms). We have confirmed that Cynthia will put the letters in the complaint file that will be reviewed by the ABC on September 6 October 4th, 2006 at 9:30 a.m.
Please email gpliving (at) gmail.com letting us know you sent in a letter. We will keep a running tally of the letters sent to the ABC at the top of this post!
Here is the sample letter – please try to personalize, and be sure to include your name and address at the end. Email it to Cynthia.Simms (at) dc.gov
- Subject: Chinatown Market Liquor License
Dear Cynthia-
I am writing to you regarding the liquor license renewal for Chinatown Market at 521 H Street, NW, License No. 19616, Case No. 10141-06/023P. I understand the official comment/complaint period has expired, but I hope that my thoughts as a taxpaying resident would be included in any discussion involving this matter. As a resident of the Gallery Place/Chinatown neighborhood it has been incredible to watch it grow. For the length of my time in the neighborhood, I have felt that the predominant barrier that separates this neighborhood from greatness is the public drunkenness and loitering. The largest offender and source of this problem is the Chinatown Market.
Chinatown Market sells inexpensive, individual cans/bottles of alcohol indiscriminately on the corner of 6th and H Sts. The ability to purchase cheap alcohol in small quantities easily caters to “un-neighborly” behavior. I often walk by and see people chugging beers from brown paper bags or lying inebriated in the middle of the sidewalk. This kind of behavior leads to peddling, urination, littering, loitering and general disrespect for public space. In fact, the Chinatown Market has developed such a reputation that people feel uncomfortable about walking near it and intentionally cross the street to avoid it. This behavior needs to stop in order to make this neighborhood safe and inviting.
Finally, as a taxpaying resident, I strongly urge you and the ABC to not renew the liquor license for the Chinatown Market. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[name]
[address]
Last Day For Voter Registration: August 14
Thanks to Anonymous for the following District voter heads-up:
- Link to registration form (which needs to be printed and mailed in).
Forms are also available in libraries. Stop by the MLK library and avoid printing. Note, you must register at least 30 days before an election. Remember, primary day, not general election day, is what matters in DC.
2006 Election Calendar
Monday, August 14 – last day to register (form must be postmarked by this date)
Tuesday, September 12 – Primary election day
Tuesday, October 10 – last day to register
Tuesday, November 7 – Primary election day
Gallery Place Living In The Express!
It’s actually from last Friday’s Express. Thanks to Andy for pointing us to the mention.
Thanks Express!
"No Pee" In Gallery Place? *Corrections*
Normally, we would start this post off with a “Has anyone noticed…” but since we spotted this gem about 1/2 a block away, we’re going to take the assumption that many people have noticed.
Scrawled (or spray painted) on the front facade of the building next to Chinatown Market (521 H St NW) is a menacing notice “NO PEE”. We believe it is even written in yellow orange print.
Now, we’ve seen similar notes in alleys, but never on the front of a building next to the entrance. We can only guess that this notice is directed at Chinatown Market’s customers who purchase alcohol and loiter outside of the market. What do you think?
On a related note, Chinatown Market’s liquor license is up for renewal (License No. 19616, Case No. 10141-06/023P). The local ANC has protested the renewal and they have a status hearing on September 6, 2006.
Sorry for the lack of a photo – we didn’t have a camera on hand!