[Neighbors] Request for Liquor License Transfer, The Library Moveable Feast, NE Corner Richmond Dr. and Central Ave.

Mon Sep 16 17:33:35 MDT 2024

Hi friends,
After reading all the information and thoughtful discourse, I am changing
my position to support of this new entry on Central Avenue.

My deepest hope is that our wonderful neighborhood returns to the vibrant
and exciting place it once was. I still love our space but like you all, am
concerned about our ability to grow the good.

Thank you and with respect,
Meta.

Meta Hirschl
*There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there
must never be a time when we fail to protest.* -Elie Wiesel

On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 6:26 PM Ciaran Lithgow via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <
neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com> wrote:

> Kyla- thanks for taking with your thoughtful response, which specifically
> addresses several of the concerns and questions raised by the group. I
> appreciate your professionalism and commitment to bringing great businesses
> to our community!
>
> NHA- I hope you all take the time to read her response with an open mind.
>
> What a creative and exciting opportunity! We are in favor.
>
> Ciaran Lithgow & Nicole Wilson, Amherst SE
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 2:15 PM Kyla Stoker via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <
> neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com> wrote:
>
>> Good afternoon Nob Hilleños,
>>
>>
>>
>> My name is Kyla Stoker. You may have seen my name mentioned in the email
>> chain below for the reason that I am one of the two individuals who is
>> representing the applicant in their transfer of location of a liquor
>> license into the proposed location. You may also remember me from many
>> other recent transfers of businesses which I have personally helped with
>> their real estate and/or their liquor licenses. I have had a several year
>> passion project in which I have actively helped clients lease, buy and sell
>> properties in Nob Hill. I have been involved in over a dozen of the
>> *current* businesses which you know, love and trust in Nob Hill, in some
>> way or another. I have actively worked on encouraging entrepreneurs to
>> engage in business in this area, despite the many hesitations that I often
>> receive. I have shown the subject building to a number of clients who have
>> passed on it because of the incredible investment it will take to be
>> operable for most business types. I believe in Nob Hill and invest my time,
>> energy and money in its success.
>>
>>
>>
>> What you may not know, is that I am also a homeowner in the Nob Hill
>> neighborhood, who is investing my hard earned money into the Nob Hill
>> neighborhood. Being a property owner was another step that I believed was
>> important in the passion and belief that I have for its future. My plan is
>> to continue to purchase properties in the area I love for its character,
>> history, food culture and nightlife.
>>
>>
>>
>> As a business woman who has represented hundreds of liquor license
>> applicants in my career, I can speak directly to the ownership of this
>> specific applicant. I have had the pleasure of working with, and knowing
>> each of them, for 16 years. Each of the four owners are proud members of
>> this community in which they give back to. The ownership consists of civil
>> engineer, real estate professional, State of NM director position and a
>> very dedicated owner in charge of operations. They are all educated
>> professionals working towards a similar goal of leaving Albuquerque better
>> than they got it; the same goal many of us young professionals are working
>> towards when choosing to stay and invest in our city. 3 of the 4 owners are
>> native New Mexicans, and all of them are raising families in our community.
>>
>>
>>
>> The operators of this venue intend to be mindful of the character and
>> needs of Nob Hill. They have expressed their desire to be a community event
>> space where the neighbors want to spend time and memorable events. They are
>> exploring the option of doing a daytime immersive art gallery for local
>> artists.  Their brand intends to be experiential, memorable, vibrant,
>> unique, upscale and intimate while giving a fresh new life to a corner that
>> has needed it on the northern side of west Nob Hill. They will need the
>> support of the community in which they plan to invest to be successful in
>> retaining that demographic.
>>
>>
>>
>> The ownership is involved in many philanthropic activities and groups. A
>> couple that I can name are: NM Hispano Chamber of Commerce, Joy Junction,
>> 505 Locker, Pink Pantry, Lobo Club, Musical Theater SW, Heart Foundation,
>> Ronald McDonald House, Junior Achievement of NM, Carrie Tingley Children's
>> Hospital, Horses for Heroes, La Vida Felicidad, and Cuidando Los Ninos.
>>
>>
>>
>> As you can see, not all operators are made alike and while we can see
>> that there have been some bad acts by other operators in the past, not
>> all new businesses  are run the same. These operators have a budget of
>> $1.8M+/- which they are working with to rehab this once beautiful building
>> which has been an eye sore and vacant since 2019. Along with many other
>> buildings in Nob Hill, this building remains vacant. Retail has proven that
>> it does not sustain in Nob Hill. Food and entertainment are the businesses
>> which appear to me to keep the Nob Hill neighborhood from turning into
>> the next vacant downtown. Businesses which are open, not vacant boarded up
>> properties, are what continue to maintain and grow the value of the
>> commercial property, which in turn also has been shown to help the growth
>> of surrounding residential property values.
>>
>>
>>
>> As a native New Mexican, an entrepreneur and a homeowner in Nob Hill, I
>> am urging you to be open minded about the fact that it is hard to get
>> businesses to invest the kind of money that is needed to make these
>> properties viable. I know this because I am working regularly and actively
>> in bringing business to the area. The liquor is a component that people
>> understandably become fearful of, however, it truly comes down to the
>> operators of any business as to its ability to be a good community partner.
>>
>>
>>
>> Regardless of your position on this application, my input still remains
>> that we must consider the consequences of not supporting new businesses to
>> operate in our community.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you for reading and I do appreciate the active role you all take in
>> your community; it does not go unnoticed the amount of effort that it takes
>> to do so. I plan to continue to work on the revitalization efforts that I
>> have made my passion for the last several years and I am certain we will be
>> working together again soon.
>>
>>
>>
>> Kyla Stoker
>>
>> On Sun, Sep 15, 2024 at 8:52 PM <eachestnut at swcp.com> wrote:
>>
>>> At this point I am opposed to this liquor license application.  Getting
>>> past issues with regard to that corner is a must.
>>>
>>> Elizabeth Chestnut
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From:* Neighbors_nobhill-nm <
>>> neighbors_nobhill-nm-bounces at mailman.swcp.com> *On Behalf Of *Gary
>>> Eyster via Neighbors_nobhill-nm
>>> *Sent:* Saturday, September 14, 2024 1:04 PM
>>> *To:* 'NobHill Neighbors' <neighbors at nobhill-nm.com>
>>> *Cc:* 'Kyla Stoker' <kyla at newmexicoliquorlicense.com>; 'Mark Rhodes' <
>>> mmr at rspcnm.com>
>>> *Subject:* [Neighbors] Request for Liquor License Transfer, The Library
>>> Moveable Feast, NE Corner Richmond Dr. and Central Ave.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Nob Hill Friends and Neighbors*,*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *The CABQ Liquor Hearing Officer has notified your association of an
>>> application *for transfer of location of inter-local dispenser liquor
>>> license to 3101 and 3108 Central Ave. NE and 102 Richmond Dr NE
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/102+Richmond+Dr+NE?entry=gmail&source=g>.
>>> The Hearing Officer will hear the request via zoom on September 27, 2024
>>> (see Notice). Written comments will be accepted by donna at cabq.gov until
>>> 72 hours before the hearing. Public comment is normally received at the
>>> hearing.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> When your association learns of an application we contact the applicant
>>> to clarify the application. We pass this to our email list to gather
>>> neighborhood input. If neighbors express questions or concerns we seek
>>> further information. Here is the information we received from Mark Rhodes
>>> who will represent the applicant along with Kyla Stoker. *We invite you
>>> to reply to all if you have a position on this request.* You may reply
>>> to sender if you prefer.
>>>
>>>
>>> -Operators of the business: The owners are all locals whom Kyla and I
>>> have represented in different capacities for more than a decade. They are
>>> good people and good operators. The owners names are Mark Garcia, Joe
>>> Chavez, Nicolas Torres and Micheal Conforti. Their day to day operator will
>>> be Christina Castinelli, also a local.
>>>
>>>
>>> -Contact information, Agents: Mark Rhodes, 505-980-4640; Kyla Stoker,
>>> 505-980-5614
>>>
>>> -Current and recent operations of any operator with alcohol service and
>>> period of operation: The operation requested here (Library Moveable Feast)
>>> originated out of requests the afore noted operators received for off-site
>>> catering events that include alcohol while operating the Library Bar &
>>> Grill downtown (312 Central Ave. SW
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/312+Central+Ave.+SW?entry=gmail&source=g>).
>>> Library Moveable Feast was formed to meet those requests and a new liquor
>>> license was purchased to meet those requests. Since it’s inception, the new
>>> business has operated out of rented space. Now they wish to create a new
>>> home base to expand their operations. Period of operation at existing
>>> location: Agent did not provide
>>>
>>>
>>> -Food menu: While there is a kitchen in the premises and the potential
>>> is there to prepare their own food, historically the applicant has sourced
>>> their food from local venders and farmers, whenever possible. Menu for
>>> these items : Agent did not provide
>>>
>>>
>>> -Hours of operation: While the applicant’s business will be open during
>>> normal business hours, historically there have been few events for the
>>> applicant during the weekdays. Primary event days are Friday and Saturday;
>>> Planned weekday hours and hours on Friday and Saturday: Agent did not
>>> provide
>>>
>>> ·Measures the applicant plans relative to security: The security
>>> measures have historically depended on when the event is held and the
>>> number of people attending the event. For example, a daytime hours event
>>> would have no less than one security guard per 100 customers plus, of
>>> course, the security cameras while a night hours event would at least
>>> double the number of security guards plus the afore mentioned security
>>> cameras.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Additional information provided by Mr. Rhodes: The applicant is not the
>>> Library Bar & Grill which is a downtown nightclub. The applicant is an
>>> entity named the Library Moveable Feast, LLC which is a separate entity
>>> from the Library Bar & Grill albeit with the same ownership. As the name
>>> implies , this entity provides a moveable feast or catering services. If
>>> other catering services wish to serve alcohol and do not have a liquor
>>> license, they must “picnic” a liquor license from a licensee who as part of
>>> the “picnic” process, must provide the liquor and service staff. As a
>>> result, the food caterer loses compete control of the event as control is
>>> split between the food caterer and the picnic license owner. When the
>>> Library Moveable Feast was formed, it consolidated all control with the
>>> Library Moveable Feast.
>>>
>>> Furthermore, the applicant is planning on investing money into
>>> renovating the space as it makes little sense to provide a nice venue for
>>> events if their event center looks like a dump as it currently does. It is
>>> the applicants hope that their Nob Hill neighbors will utilize the space
>>> for their own events such as corporate events; anniversaries and similar
>>> celebrations.
>>>
>>> Finally, if the owners can not book private events on Friday and
>>> Saturday nights, they have considered opening the event center on those
>>> nights only as an upscale lounge.
>>>
>>> *Attached is a call summary* from APD for the 312 Central SW address.
>>> APD attached these remarks: Attached are the calls for service,
>>> year-to-date.  Anything with a letter 'S' following the 10-code (such as
>>> 31S) or that says 'onsite' is officer initiated.  Most of the 'fight in
>>> progress' calls occurred on the sidewalk or in the street in front of the
>>> Library and may or may not have been associated with the establishment. It
>>> was simply the nearest address.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> At 6:30 pm on Sept. 16 NHNA’s board of directors will informally
>>> evaluate input received from the community.  Neighbor input is crucial.
>>> When input is neutral or positive we generally don’t develop an association
>>> position.  If input suggests strong concerns or directors have strong
>>> concerns we will hold a special board meeting to explore an association
>>> position. If that happens the special board meeting will be the following
>>> evening, Sept. 17 at 6:30 pm by zoom. We will notify the email list if this
>>> special meeting is set up and provide a zoom invitation.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> At such a meeting the board generally considers the expected impact on
>>> community safety and quality of life and factors including but not limited
>>> to calls for police service at applicant's operations and security plans.
>>>
>>>
>>> Hours of service and services offered are not generally part of the
>>> hearing officer’s consideration, but may affect the association’s position.
>>>
>>> Locations near Residential Zone Districts (IDO 14-16-2-3) are
>>> problematic, particularly if affected neighbors oppose.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> We will notify the email list, the liquor hearing officer, and the
>>> applicant of the association’s action coming out of such a special
>>> meeting.
>>>
>>> All members of the community are welcome to provide written comments to
>>> the hearing officer or speak at the CABQ hearing in a personal capacity.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> #VivaNobHill
>>>
>>> *Gary Eyster*
>>>
>>> *President, Nob Hill Neighborhood Association*
>>>
>>> *(505)991-1388*
>>>
>>> *meyster1 at me.com <meyster1 at me.com>*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient>
>>> Virus-free.www.avg.com
>>> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient>
>>> <#m_-7329685214633704769_m_5691489123297132748_m_-2612791026942061352_m_-7655442390673537648_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> *Kyla Stoker*
>> *New Mexico Liquor Licenses, LLC*
>> 2539 Wyoming Blvd. NE,
>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/2539+Wyoming+Blvd.+NE,%C2%A0+Albuquerque,+NM+87112?entry=gmail&source=g>Albuquerque,
>> NM 87112
>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/2539+Wyoming+Blvd.+NE,%C2%A0+Albuquerque,+NM+87112?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>
>> Cell: (505) 980-5614 Fax: (505) 212-0227
>> www.newmexicoliquorlicense.com
>>
>>
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>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Neighbors_nobhill-nm mailing list
>> Neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com
>> https://mailman.swcp.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/neighbors_nobhill-nm
>>
> This Message Sent To: ciaranlithgow at gmail.com
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Neighbors_nobhill-nm mailing list
> Neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com
> https://mailman.swcp.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/neighbors_nobhill-nm
> This Message Sent To: metaji.prajna at gmail.com
>
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