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Long-Shuttered West Village Speakeasy Chumley's Makes One More Push To Reopen
By
Nell Casey
Published Oct 13, 2015
Modified Apr 6, 2018
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By
Nell Casey
Published Oct 13, 2015
Modified Apr 6, 2018
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Nearly nine years after a wall collapse shuttered legendary West Village "speakeasy" Chumley's, the Bedford Street bar appears to have one last shot at rebirth. On Thursday evening, the bar (and its advocates) will appear before Community Board Two SLA Committee to plead their case for the approval of an application for a liquor license. "Frankly, no liquor license means no Chumley's," the group says. "And this is the last chance of the monied real estate interests and AstroTurf NIMBYs to block Chumley's return."
Lovers of the bar have faced an extremely vocal group of Chumley's opponents, who went as far as to sue the SLA to force the agency's hand against a possible reopening. That lawsuit was ultimately dismissed by a Manhattan judge over a year ago, but the bar has yet to make any further forward movement towards reopening.
To bolster their case to the community board, a petition has been started to show support for CB approval at 86 Bedford Street at Thursday evening's meeting. Those who've signed acknowledge more limited operating hours for the bar, a stipulation set forth by the community board. "We believe Chumley’s operators, known to the community for many years, will conduct a business that is contributory, cooperative and responsive to neighborhood concerns as assured."
Ultimately, it'll be up to the SLA whether or not Chumley's receives a liquor license, but the CB's advisory role may help their case. Community Board 2's SLA Licensing committee will meet Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church on Sullivan Street.
Tagged
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chumley's
Community Board Two
NIMBYs
petitions
west village
Nell Casey
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