Iron Bar appeals Morristown denial of expansion, claims political bias

Jimmy Cavanaugh hopes to extend his liquor license from Revolution and the Iron Bar, on the right, to former Parm Centro. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Jimmy Cavanaugh hopes to extend his liquor license from Revolution and the Iron Bar, on the right, to former Parm Centro. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
13

By Kevin Coughlin

Accusing the Morristown council of “arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable” behavior, the Iron Bar has appealed to the state to overturn last month’s denial of a liquor license expansion.

That denial, by a 6-1 vote, lacks “any factual basis and…is clearly based on political and personal preferences” of council members, contends the document filed this week with the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control on behalf of Iron Bar owner Jimmy Cavanaugh.

4Cavanaugh’s request was denied “for the same reasons we have limited ABC expansions on all other licenses over the last five years in the area,” Council President Stefan Armington said on Wednesday.

Jimmy Cavanaugh hopes to extend his liquor license from Revolution and the Iron Bar, on the right, to former Parm Centro. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Jimmy Cavanaugh still hopes to extend his liquor license from Revolution and the Iron Bar, on the right, to former Parm Centro. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

The Iron Bar owner seeks to expand the liquor license shared by his Iron Bar and Revolution establishments into an adjacent South Street storefront, for a proposed Mexican restaurant called the Gran Cantina.

At the time, council members expressed concerns about an “over-saturation” of downtown bars.

Councilwoman Michelle Duprée Harris cast the only vote against the council’s rejection. She is running against Mayor Tim Dougherty, who Cavanaugh formerly supported.

The appeal filed by Cavanaugh’s attorney, Robert C. Williams, asks the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control to compel the town council to justify its action–preferably at a settlement conference next month for another Cavanaugh appeal. 

In that one, he is challenging a curfew on alcohol sales that the council imposed on Revolution, a beer hall that opened last fall. 

Separately, he is suing the Morristown Parking Authority over access to an alley behind Revolution and the Iron Bar.

The latest appeal claims the denial is unwarranted because only 12 people testified against the license expansion; and because no objections were lodged by police, fire, building, health or parking officials, or from church or civic associations.

Nor have there been any violations of state ABC laws by the Iron Bar or Revolution, the appeal asserts.

Cavanaugh also pledged that Gran Cantino patrons would not add to the number of potential drinkers, because he would cap occupancy for his three establishments to the total maximum allowed for the Iron Bar and Revolution.

The council resolution rejecting the expansion cited concerns about creating an entertainment district at odds with the municipal master plan, attracting more drinkers downtown, and the storage of trash and recyclables.

It also cited “excessive noise at closing time (2 a.m.), and “the rowdiness of crowds waiting to enter the liquor establishments… and the overall imbalance between the interests of the liquor establishments and the surrounding residents.”

“The Council held two days of hearings and gave everyone the opportunity to be heard,” said town Attorney Vij Pawar

“Ultimately, they rejected the application to expand Iron Bar’s liquor license to an additional storefront on South Street and provided ample reasoning.  It is unfortunate that the Town is forced to defend yet another appeal by this applicant.”

If you’ve read this far… you clearly value your local news. Now we need your help to keep producing the local coverage you depend on! More people are reading Morristown Green than ever. But costs keep rising. Reporting the news takes time, money and hard work. We do it because we, like you, believe an informed citizenry is vital to a healthy community.

So please, CONTRIBUTE to MG or become a monthly SUBSCRIBER. ADVERTISE on Morristown Green. LIKE us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and SIGN UP for our newsletter.

13 COMMENTS

  1. JT, when I bought the old Woolworth building in 2008 there wasn’t a tenant to be found. Finally we took a risk and opened Iron Bar. Now councilwoman Deeb wants us to open a Tshirt store instead of Gran Cantina. Need I say more.

  2. They are handcuffing business where people actually want to spend their money for the sake of appeasing a few people who want a quiet downtown. There are plenty of places that are quiet to live in the town if you don’t want a nightlife scene. Hopefully more bars and restaurants are encouraged to open soon. Let the money of the consumers decide what stays open and what doesn’t.

  3. Many people seem to be passionate and have an opinion of what types of businesses are missing or should be in Morristown. Very few seem willing make an investment in their great idea, but are quick to criticize those who do.

  4. Yes Motown4 we have started, but the council delayed us long enough for our competition to book our acts. If your a tax payer ask them how much of your tax money they are wasting to have us close 2 hours before everyone else. I’ve been in business 37 years in this town, this is shameful.

  5. The town administration is probably the worst in the county. They wont approve a simple restaurant but will allow a hotel on Market St that is 100% not needed. Morristown will always have the night life “image” and there is nothing wrong with that so why not just add to the variety of places to eat/drink. Also, shame on you to the people who live in the vicinity to these bars/restaurants. Next time you move somewhere do your research!

  6. Jacqui, these bars and restaurants are the reason the downtown exists the way it does today. Starting a fight and discouraging more bars/restaurants to open will lead to a huge flight of the younger working class from the town. Fox & Rothschild who just moved their HQ here and built a wonderful new building said they came here because younger talent wants a downtown with bars and nearby housing.

  7. Welcome to the 21st century, on line shopping has changed downtown retail shopping forever. Morristown has done a bad job in providing convenient parking for small shops. Restaurants of all types have helped make Morristown a destination. Unfortunately part time politicians have corrupted the process.

  8. Sorry but we don’t need another drinking establishment in Morristown. We need to have a greater variety of merchants. I can remember a time when you could buy just about anything you needed downtown. It’s disturbing that so much of my time is spent driving out of Morristown to shop. Not to mention the nightmare traffic. Shame that the town has to waste money defending their decision.

  9. The decision of the council was absolutely “Political”. It’s not the first time or will it be the last.
    The council operates under the cloak of secrecy. I’d like to know more about what goes on in the “back rooms”. Inside information tells why this is going on. It’s kind of like :pay to play”
    The only thing the council knows, is “NO”. In this case, the council is preventing a business owner who has provided hundreds jobs and taxes to the town for many many years.
    Entertainment is a large part of the town.
    There is no logical reason for him to be turned down except POLITICAL.
    It’s time for a council change.

  10. Love the idea of the Gran Cantina. The restaurant and bar scene needs to continue to expand and innovate to keep the downtown attracting a new and lively demographic. I didnt just buy a house right near the downtown for an area that closes and stops serving alcohol at 11pm, and Im sure the thousands of people who go to these places for a night life would agree. Why don’t we let the demand speak for itself?

  11. The bias with this is amazingly obvious. Gran Cantina is a great idea and the fact that Cavanaugh is willing to limit capacity to the same as Revolution and Iron Bar shows how much he is willing to compromise. Iron Bar has no worse issues than Sona or Laundromat or Hopper or Frog. Gran Cantina isn’t even going to be a club! It’s just a restaurant/Bar!!!

LEAVE A REPLY