Mudgie's in Corktown aims for liquor license, faces opposition

[detroitgirl]

Tampa and Orlando have neighborhood bars in converted historic bungalows,mostly just allowed to serve beer and wine, they are nice ,the
crowd is mostly younger yuppies and not like a club sene at all ,just casual chic kinda thing , lots of opposition when they were allowed but caters to a whole different group and they blend in nicely now .

I'm sure in those cities, the police will come straight away if people are causing trouble. In Detroit, we just don't have the public safety support if a troublesome situation arises.

I sympathize with the objections only because Mudgies is located in a neighborhood. I love the place but I don't live next door. If a lot of people from the neighborhood--and over 50 strike me as a significant number--object to the liquor license, Mudgies should just drop this as far as I'm concerned.

As it was also pointed out, there is a playground across the street. As a parent [[and Corktown is very family friendly from what I can tell) I would certainly be very uncomfortable with that combo. Unfortunately, alcohol makes [[some) people very, very stupid.

An alternative, if they can swing it, is to open a second location on Michigan Avenue where, as far as I'm concerned they can serve all the alcohol they want.

[Wesley Mouch]

....snip....Mudgies should just drop this as far as I'm concerned....snip....

Or perhaps they can just move to Royal Oak. Money and business move to where they are wanted. RO is trying to increase the number of liquor licenses.

As it was also pointed out, there is a playground across the street. As a parent [[and Corktown is very family friendly from what I can tell) I would certainly be very uncomfortable with that combo. Unfortunately, alcohol makes [[some) people very, very stupid.

Mudgies is reportedly not trying to become a bar. But want to serve beer/wine with meals. There should be a way to allow beer/wine with dinner, but not hard liquor served by itself. Our liquor laws need updates. If they truly just want to serve beer/wine w/ meals there, this won't cause problems with the playground. [[I do understand the desire to not have drunks around children -- but I also want appropriate commerce in Corktown.)

[Richard]

I'm sure in those cities, the police will come straight away if people are causing trouble. In Detroit, we just don't have the public safety support if a troublesome situation arises.

I sympathize with the objections only because Mudgies is located in a neighborhood. I love the place but I don't live next door. If a lot of people from the neighborhood--and over 50 strike me as a significant number--object to the liquor license, Mudgies should just drop this as far as I'm concerned.

As it was also pointed out, there is a playground across the street. As a parent [[and Corktown is very family friendly from what I can tell) I would certainly be very uncomfortable with that combo. Unfortunately, alcohol makes [[some) people very, very stupid.

An alternative, if they can swing it, is to open a second location on Michigan Avenue where, as far as I'm concerned they can serve all the alcohol they want.

In your OP you asked for thoughts on the matter no offense it looks as though you are looking for support in opposition.

It seems as though that they are not per-say a club and all clubs are not the same,the places I mentioned do not really need a police presence because of the clientele,they are more of lets have a glass of wine and socialize and not so much as lets go get plastered falling down drunk.Most of the patrons live in the neighborhoods and invite friends to have a drink.The wives leave the hubby with the children and have a night out with the girls close by or visa versa, Within walking distance.

So I guess as a neighborhood it is a line between having a business that serves a purpose verses a vacant building.

Have they actually talked to Mudgies and maybe meet them 1/2 way?It does seem as though on the surface there was already an existing license so that may be an issue.

As a neighborhood you will be able to find fault in any business setting up shop,the trick is to get the neighborhood revenue support and find a happy medium.Seems as though if they are maintain the city park across the street that should count as something towards goodwill as I would assume that the residents also use the park?

Is the requirement to have a mix of food and alcohol say 70% food must be sold to 30% alcohol which in turn makes it a food venue that serves alcohol with the meal,and not a club per say.No mixed drinks and no live entertainment with band members over one.

How are they going to address your security concerns? Did you ask them?

If the neighborhood establishes acceptable guidelines that they would feel comfortable with and work with the business owners to reach some kind of happy medium it becomes a lot better as a neighborhood verses say for instance Mudgies saying fine we can move elsewhere even maybe downtown,then where will Corktown be?

Sorry WM ,posted at the same time.but same bases.

[detroitgirl]

In your OP you asked for thoughts on the matter no offense it looks as though you are looking for support in opposition.

None taken. Initially I honestly didn't know what to make of this but the more I thought about it, I realized that I sympathize more with the opposition. I still think that given the nature of Detroit's lack of public safety, serving alcohol in a more or less residential area is just asking for trouble. Mudgie's can have the best of intentions, but it has absolutely no control over patrons who come in who can't handle their liquor and then start trouble.

But what I think doesn't at all matter.

I like Mudgie's. I will still patronize them even if they get their license. I personally have no problem with them if they do serve alcohol. But then again, I don't live there. It's the people who live in the community who will have to live with the consequences.

The article I linked to stated that:
The city received 6 letters of opposition and a petition signed by 42 near-by residents and property owners

It sounds like pretty strong opposition to me.

And finally, on another point, some people are acting as if Corktown will fall to a swift demise if Mudgie's closes shop. I love their food so I would hate to see them go, but Corktown is on the rise now. Another business will come along, and if they want to serve alcohol they will know to keep it on the Avenue.

[Richard]

[QUOTE=detroitgirl;338550]And finally, on another point, some people are acting as if Corktown will fall to a swift demise if Mudgie's closes shop. I love their food so I would hate to see them go, but Corktown is on the rise now. Another business will come along, and if they want to serve alcohol they will know to keep it on the Avenue.[/QUOTE

Well you know what they say ,three strikes you are out [[CVS The other bar and now Mudgie's) it does not really seem as though any business would suit the area.Which gives the area a reputation of being not business friendly and if one cannot see the ramifications of going that route in the city as a whole then it is all for naught anyways.Who needs the headache.

You are correct that losing one business does not matter to the neighborhood but it is kinda redundant to try and build an area and yet discourage the business aspect.They pay taxes and employ and have to buy product locally so they are contributing to the general economy.That is what the city needs now and not a screw you attitude my way or the highway.That solves nothing.

Maybe a topless bar that does not serve alcohol would be okay. Do not see how it could be stopped.But also there would seem to be a huge conflict allowing a liquor store but nobody else.

But one would think that a business that would wish to succeed would not endorse fighting as who would want to patronize a place like that.

Corktown received neighborhood improvement grants last year ,how were those funds spent ,just kinda wondering.

CTY what is your input?

[downtownguy]

The article I linked to stated that:
The city received 6 letters of opposition and a petition signed by 42 near-by residents and property owners

The article you refer to was written in February and relates to the former Porter Street Station applying for a cabaret license. As the article also notes, that site was a rowdy after-hours spot that was raided and shut down. It's unfair to compare Mudgie's to that place.

Furthermore, what if it is located across the street from a playground? Would seeing someone tipsy stumble out of Mudgie's corrupt some little kiddy's morals forever? They see a lot worse on TV. Drinking at lunch is rare these days. Most of the drinking will probably occur at dinner. Those delicate munchkins should be long gone from the park by then.

[Kathleen]

Greg:

Sounds like you have thought everything through!! Frankly, I wasn't very taken by your proposal, as I first heard about it, but now that you've explained it all, I am all for it. Good luck in bringing it to fruition! I have brought many visitors to our city to Mudgie's for lunch and all have greatly enjoyed. I look forward to future visits.