Let's take a moment here to send out props to East Boston's two fairly new cafes.
Meridian 155 recently celebrated its first anniversary. The bright and unpretentious spot serves coffee beverages, smoothies, baked goods, panini sandwiches and soup, and the location -- 155 Meridian Street -- guarantees a good amount of foot traffic. I look forward to sitting by the open windows once the warmer weather arrives. Owners Dave and Jodi are super people, and I count myself as a frequent customer.
303 Cafe has only been open for a few months, but it seems like the Boston Globe can't get enough of it. There is another review of the "hip cafe" in the paper today. This place, at 303 Sumner Street, has a much different vibe than 155, with a funky look and an eclectic menu. I was there just last night and had a wonderful time. Owners Tom and Melinda are also quite friendly, and I may go back tomorrow night for the monthly open mike.
Both places are still getting settled and making some changes, and each is a welcome addition to the community and worthy of our patronage.
59 comments:
FYI - You missed the rave review of Angela's Cafe on Lexington Street. For a Cali migrant like myself this little restaurant offers the only place outside my own home where I can find real Mexican food.
Check it out here.
Cafe 155 ,and Cafe 303 ROCKS. So does the owners. Two awesome families.
Best of Luck to both.
Its to bad Cafe 155 has to have that disgusting eyesoe next door (the music shop).
Wheres Code Enforcement??
RE: The eyesore next door...
I seem to remember an interview as part of an article about East Boston Main Streets clean up of Meridian street. As I recall he said he wanted as much flash as possible to attract business. I am glad that Omar & Omar looks almost done. Many compliments to East Boston Main Streets (Clark in particular) and the local businesses that want the neighbourhood to be all it can be, and not just a strip of neon and backlit tacky signs. The residents of Eastie need be more and more vocal to these curmudgeons and get them to join in our clean up, not fight it.
I do have to say Cafe 303 was great at first but the last 3 times I went there I have 45mins for my food and its not so cheap.
I love the owners and hope they make changes because they are great people.
Please bring back the old new Cafe 303.
All the City,and Esp. Main Streets needs to do is enforce the existing regulations on store fronts that cover signage.
But we all know thats not going to happen.
Case in point;
Every single one of those ugly awening signs are Illegal,Every single sign on that ugly Music shop next to 155 cafe is Illegal.
Some day when you are in Cafe 155 ,or 303 ask the owners how long it took them to get the right to open due to City regulations.
It took 155 about 2 years of B.R.A. red tape ,and most of it was on its design of the store front.
Clark knows the deal on the laws about signage,but for whatever reason they are never enforced.
Now if we could only replace the Central Square Dunks with another nice Cafe !
That would be progress!
I agree with Anon about Cafe 303. The owners are very nice people but they better figure a better to get the food out faster. I waited almost 35 minutes for scrambled eggs, i mean c'mon.
Please guys you have a beautiful place there please someone get them the word that bad service will bring them down as fast as they were well received.
Good Luck 303 and lets start fresh again!
Because of seeing this Blog I went to 155 for the first time on Saturday and it is a great new spot in the Square, not so new because the owners have been there for a year now.
I have traded in my Dunkin morning fix for this cafe.
More people should, the Dunkins is a disgrace to the square and we should support local businesses.
Anon, you were right, I did look at the music store...what are the local enforcement agencies doing about that...nothing of course or I assume?!
Joe Mason, I went in and the business is 2 floors...is that legal?? Then walked down to this Omar's place...ugly or what?? How about keeping up with the historical vibe?? This isn't downtown crossing!
Well, tomorrow when I am in 155 for my morning coffee, I will think of the hubster and thank him for talking about this great new, but not so new addition to the square!!
Hello to the Poster who saw what others refuse to see!
In my opinion the second floor is Illegal.
According to Article 53 A.K.A. East Bostons own specific Zoning Code;www.cityofboston.gov/bra
He would need to apply for an "extension of a Non Conforming use",and he would get a rejection letter,and have 45 days to apply to the Board of Appeals to grant the extended use.
We have NO,ZERO records of this.Only complaints WE filed to the Chamber,Main streets,and I.S.D..
Now I promised several people if I came back to blog ,I would be as respectful as possible,So here goes;
Its in a Main Streets District,
Signage,and extending to the second floor is I.S.D.,and Main Streets to enforce,or at the very least send the "Strike team" down,and go through it from top to bottom.
I want to remind people that 155 Meridian was put through H_ _ _,BY THE B.R.A.,and I.S.D..
They are a great family,and if you ask David or his wife about what they went through,I hope you have plenty of time.
YET
That ugly eyesore is allowed to go on as if its no big deal.
God Bless the owners of both 155,and 303 they were driven nuts.
F.Y.I. also another abandonded store front on the same block 145 Meridian is about to open ,and its going to be fantastic.
Targeted opening day is this coming Friday."Roticeria Cancun",another great family.
L.U.C.
Joe, just for the record. You shouldn't sign off with L.U.C. because your own opinion doesn't reflect the rest of the council when your writing into the blog.
I'm not attacking just pointing ou something that can be problematic if you sign off with the Land Use Council's signage.
Hi Jimbo!
Joe:
I agree with Anon @ 8:19 pm. Thanks for your input, but please dont speak for the whole council until you have taken a vote of the membership and ensured that this is their sentiment as well. Also, you need to be a bit more careful about stating that something is "illegal" - even if it is in your opinion. The truth is, that comments such as that, can be construed a problem and detracts from the LUC's credibility if it turns out not to be illegal. Lets leave those determinations to ISD for now and let the LUC just handle the community process. Just wanted to point that out for everyone's sake - not trying to start an argument.
WOW
Here we go again!
Ill bet my life that the two / one poster who said I shouldn't sign off as THE L.U.C..,
have never attended a single L.U.C.meeting.
ALL VOTES ON THIS STORE WERE 100% AGAINST IT.
For if they had ,they would know NOTHING happens at the L.U.C. without it being put on the floor for discussion,and then a vote,and that Includes hearing complaints from members,or people from the public who come down to voice a complaint after not getting any response from the City.
Now to the issue of credibility;
An unsigned post "IN MY OPINION SEVERLY LACKS CREDIBILITY".
So in this case we voted apx 6 times over 2 yeras to send the complaints to the agencies mentioned in my previous posts.
THEY NOT THE L.U.C. CAN ENFORCE THE RULES,BUT CHOSE NOT TO.
So untill you become a member,attend meetings,and cast a vote ,PLEASE do not speak for our Council.
Illegal in this sense means they more than ,Not do not have a permit to use the second floor of the building as commercial,it used to be an apartment.
To go from Commercial,to Res,or Res. to Com ,again you would need to go to the Board of Appeals.
P.S.I chose to sign L.U.C. because the members have had this way to many times,and
Jimbo has had to DELETE posts that people have signed my name to ,and spoke of L.U.C.votes to approve that eyesore.
So I have an invitation to you,come down ,and participate,and learn how we work.
F.Y.I.,The President of the Council does not get to vote on anything.
THE L.U.C.
The real question here not only for that store,but so many others is ; WHY IS IT ALLOWED?
Jimbo:
I thought we were going to stop with Mason's off topic rants? We get it - he always needs the last word.
Seems like he is re-hashing the unsigned post issue again that we already demonstrated in our opinion he was responsible for - period and end of discussion.
Lets move on now. We all have.
To be fair to Joe, and just so we understand him clearly, are you (and the LUC) saying that since it was an apartment before, a change of the second floor to any type of commercial use requires approval from the ZBA first otherwise it would be illegal? I think that would help clarify the discussion for us Joe - especially those who dont understand the process like you do. Thank you.
To add to some clarification:
Article 53 of Boston's Zoning Code refers to the regulations of land uses within neighborhood districts. Article 53 does not apply to specific parcels of land. You can look up the specific land zoning by using the Boston Atlas, accessible through the BRA's website, or by checking out the parcel information from the city's assessing webpage. Article 53 and the zoning maps are available from the BRA's website.
I checked Article 53 and the East Boston Neighborhood District Zoning Map (3A/3B). The location of 151 Meridian Street, the location of the music store, is in a community commercial district. According to Table B on page 81 of Article 53, general retail and local retail businesses are allowed in the first story and in the second stories and above in community commercial districts. According to Article 53 and the East Boston Neighborhood District Zoning Map, retail activity on the second floor is allowed as a matter of right. This means that, under the law, the city can't prohibit anyone from using the second floor for general or local retail purposes in a community commercial district in East Boston.
These types of retail uses on the second story and above would be prohibited in neighborhood shopping districts. The neighborhood shopping district for this part of Meridian Street starts in Maverick Square and ends at Havre Street.
I did not look into the sign regulations (because sign regs are ridiculously complex and sometimes even contradictory) but I recall this issue being written about in the Eastie Times sometime last year or maybe the year before. Someone with more interest and time can call ISD to find out if they were asked to inspect and what the outcome of that was.
Joe, what does your signing off comments have to do with anything else than you just signing off with L.U.C signature.
Please stop using that practice.
Now, if we are going to talk about issues let's just do that and you always have to speak in general terms......Let's just stay focused
What happened about the topic of 303 and 155? Did anyone speak to Melinda about her waits and prices?
to n.starluna
Thanks for your insight. I tried looking at the Zoning and it seems pretty complex as it is - and probably explains a bigger problem in the community, i.e. why small mom and pops have a hard time navagating the red tape of whats allowed and what is not. I would love to see more 303 and 155 types (as well as more Rinos, Cafe Italias, Marios etc).
I was just trying to be fair to Joe as he was so adamant that the use on the 2nd floor was illegal - maybe he has some insight that we dont. Hopefully we will hear from him soon on this topic.
Dear Hubster Blog:
As a business owner and resident of this community for more than 30 years, I feel the need to weigh in here. I apologize for the lengthy response but it is important if we want to see more of the 303 and Angela's type Cafes.
There is a real problem for the future of our business community - and I think I can shed some light.
The previous poster would appear to be correct in her assesment (and a very good analysis of Article 53 I might add). Whether the use of a building is "illegal" requires a somewhat complex review of the current use and a review of the zoning bylaw, not the say so of the LUC president or the numerous complaints he may file with ISD, even if it is his "opinion" that it is illegal.
In the interest of promoting a more positive economic development in Eastie and in light of what n.starluna has explained, I think that everyone (well maybe almost everyone) can see the wisdom of Central Square Observer's reasoned advice:
Unlike some of its past presidents, the current president of the LUC is not a lawyer, building inspector, architect, engineer, licensed contractor. I checked all of the relevant public databases. Therefore, he does not maintain any special qualifications that allow him to render an informed opionion of whether a use is illegal or not.
However, when such an accusation comes from East Boston's LUC's president, it is wholly unfair to a building owner and shows tremendously poor judgment by someone who is expected to have a certain level of knowledge. The responsibility of being an impartial leader of a community group should not be taken lightly.
So until there is someone with a level of credibility that can speak inteligently on these issues (other than its president), the LUC should really not be in the business of asserting that a use or building is legal or illegal - because as it would seem, in this instance, he got it wrong - which is a harmful scenario. Who knows how many other instances there are.
More importantly, it should not be suggesting that an ISD "Strike Force" decsend onto this or any other building because, it is simply the LUC president's opinion that the use may be illegal. We really should get our facts straight first before this community ostracizes any business or property owner - regardless or who they are.
When it comes to building/business owners who, for whatever reason, don't fit in with the goals of the immediate community, we should be working towards solutions not confrontations.
Erroneous accusations, continuous complaints to ISD, and threats of "swat" style raids from people who are supposed to know what they are talking about - but who really do not - might explain in part the reason why we cant even get building/business owners to work with legitimate community stakeholders (Main Streets, Chamber, City Council, Mayors office etc.)
Why would they even want to?
Those who are trying to make a positive difference are lumped in as being perceived as part of the LUC "establishment" which they see as the reason for their problems - not a means to reaching a solution or harmony with the community.
We need to change the way we do things here - starting with the LUC. If we don't, we only have ourselves to blame.
O.K
I understand that people may think its a Joe Mason thing,It simply is not.
In regards to the question from Central Square Observer;about the conversion from a Residential,to Commercial us or the other way around itis a fact.
Yes ! It would require a Long Form to be filled out on the 4th floor of I.S.D.,and it would be rejected.
Then as already stated they would need Zoning Board of Appeals relief.
We see it all the time,and guess what 155 Meridian had to do exactly that after the Danatalles club was closed.
It was all Commercial,and they wanted a mixed use to generate revenue.
I beleive the actual case may still be listed at www.eastboston.com ,click open East Boston Zoning cases.
I am asking the Anons to understand one thing,I have no problem with you questioning my remarks.
You tell me not to speak for the Council,yet you are not members,and do not attend meetings.
"In my opinion ,its only being done to get a reaction out of me to further the discussion in a negative way".
THOSE DAYS ARE GONE!
I made a promise to Jimbo,and am sticking to it.
However I stated factualy how the L.U.C. does its work,but you do not want to take it for what it is.
Please have a nice day everyone,and God Bless!
J.M.
FOR THE
L.U.C.
BREAKING NEWS! BREAKING NEWS!
I just got off the phone with a Mr. White at ISD - even though we may not like the signage, commercial uses on the second floor at the place next door to 155 Cafe is NOT illegal - there are about 3 dozen or so commercial uses which are allowed under Article 53 in this area and no ZBA approval would be required. I think Mr. Mason should immediately apologize for his several comments and then resign from the LUC. I dont see how these reckless claims can help our neighborhood.
FYI - if I remember correctly and having spoken to the builder several times during construction when I would walk by on my way to work, the ZBA and BRA procedure was necessary at 155 Meridian because the owner wanted to raise the height of the existing building from 3 to 4 stories and that required a zoning variance - it had nothig to do with the commercial use being proposed. I agree with the other posters, you really need to be more careful in making these types of comments so as to not innacurately lead people to believe something other than what really transpired - especially those who are new to our community. Come on, you are the LUC president act more responsibly.
O.K.
TO THE OWNERS OF 155,AND 303 all I can say is its unfortunate that people who do not like me,even though they refuse to identify themselves,and possibly have never met me have turned Jimbos good topic on how awesome your places are
IN TO;
a Joe Mason thing.
For that I apologize to you guys only.
Both of you know the journey you were put through to open up,and it was not a nice one.
Again I apologize to you.
Good Luck ,and I hope you stay open forever.
Mr. Joseph J.Mason
A person proud of his name!
Joe,
I also like 303 and 155. I think the coffee at both is superior to the mass produced varieties of DD and others. The beer selection at 303 is also pretty cool and interesting. However, while I can be impressed with these operations and hope to see a lot more like them who will follow their lead, can I not be equally concerned that this might not continue to happen here, when you, in your capacity as LUC president, make very specific points about businesses and building owners that are innacurate - as displayed in this thread?
The process of continuing to get good businesses into our neighborhood is just as important to the discussion as how good these businesses are, what they serve, and who goes there.
Although you now want to turn the discussion back to praising other new businesses and appear as if you are part of progress - lets not forget that you have essentially made innacurate statements on here about another business/building owner and held it out as accurate. Your refusal to make even an apology for your remarks speaks volumes.
I just find it really odd that you want the community to now believe that you are a champion of new businesses and economic development for the community and that you sympathize with the "journeys" new businesses must go through - when your "understanding" of what's legal and illegal has repeatedly made these journeys longer and more difficult for many new businesses looking to get a start here.
One need only look to the frivolous opposition you led against a new business going into an old, vacant, building on porter street. Just for the record, did you not pursue an appeal to the ABCC to stop the martini bar from getting its license? How about the new Brazilian place on Chelsea Street who also wanted a Beer and Wine? I can call over and get copies of the filings, Jimbo.
You are right - posts that are supportive of good, progressive econonmic development is something we should not expect from you...instead making stuff up to support a personal vendetta against business owners is what we should just call "a Joe Mason thing" from now on.
O.K.
TO THE CHAMBER MEMBER!
Whats the matter,sign your name.
First you need to get over being bitter that we DENIED your chamber a 1300.00 dollar grant in 2007 .
I kept it ,and framed it because of how crazy it was.
1-
Folks they sent the L.U.C.a request for a grant to "BUY A LIST OF BUSINESSES DOING BUSINESS IN EAST BOSTON ,FROM A MARKETING FIRM IN OMAHA ,NEBRASKA CALLED WWW.INFOUSA.COM
Why did you need our money? Don't you have vast resources financialy?
2- I guess the Chamber with all of its power does not know who does business in East Boston.
3- The Martini bar appeal was filled by a 82 year old man who is a direct abutter.
Him along with 184 people 74 over the age of 70,and 35 school age children who lived around the place signed a petition against it,but due to the Chamber,and Main streets support ,the rights of actual Eastie residents were sqauashed like a grape for a guy from Marblehead.
3-Duh,the L.U.C. never entertained this proposal,the meetings were done by the Mayors office.
4- As far as the Chelsea Street restaurant,Duh the exact smae thing happened ,
oh before I forget that building folks is owned by a Chamber V.P.
NOW TO ONE YOU LEFT OUT
TEQUILAS in o.h.square,remember them .
54 -911 CALLS IN LESS THAN 7 MONTHS FOR STABBINGS,GUNS PULLED ,UNDERAGE DRINKING,A MASSIVE BRAWL ON 9-17-07 THAT TOOK EVERY SINGLE COP IN EASTIE,AND 14 CRUISERS FROM DOWNTOWN TO CONTROL.
You supported them when over 500 surrounding people signed a petition to stop the madness, whos lives were being deastroyed to not only stay open,but to hire a security company with bouncers .
Its supposed to be a Family restaurant,not a Night Club.
But agin you felt that "hey who cares about the people who live there hes a member of the Chamber".
**********************************
THEN THE DAY AFTER THE HEARING YOU SENT ME AN EMAIL SAYING YOU WILL NOT RENEW HIS MEBRSHIP,A LITTLE TO LATE DON'T YOU THINK?
***********************************
Again the L.U.C.did not hear this case,as it was brought forward for numerous Liquor license violations,by the BOSTON POLICE.
SO MR. CHAMBER as you are getting your records call 617-615-4170 ,and ask to get a copy of the TAPE where 15 Boston Police officers,and the 4 A.B.C.C. investigators who testifed of the horror that place became,with your full support.
One officer saying on tape "I was covered with so much blood ,I had to go to the hospital to be cleaned".
JIMBO I HAVE THE TAPE.
I know its hard to let go ,but your request for a Donation to buy a list of businesses in Eastie from a Marketing Company in Omaha Nebrasla proves to me only,that your group is out of touch with East Boston.
I gave you a great solution ,get your Board members on a Saturday,and just go through each section of Eastie ,and make a list.
HOW HARD CAN THAT BE????
One final note ,the money we did not give to you went to a Senior Citizens group for a bus ride to view the foliage,and the other half went to a Tuition grant for an East Boston kid going to B.U..
Money well spent.
If the mission of the Chamber who has many good people involved is to only get more reataurants with liquor open,then what about the people??????????????????????????
Ill bet if you were the Burris who are 6 feet away from Tequilas ,you would have a different attitude.
The rights of actual people who live in Eastie,and not all of your members do,should be the most important thing.
Thier quality of life is numero uno,and there is nothing you can say about that.
NO ONE ,NOT EVEN YOU SHOULD HAVE TO BE TOURTURED LIKE THE PEOPLE SURROUNDING TEQUILAS WAS,NO ONE.
JIMBO;If you want I can send you a copy of the Chambers letter asking for the donation mentioned above.
Good Luck Mr. Chamber ,but in my world "EASTIE RESIDENTS RIGHTS TO LIVE IN PEACE,AND QUIET COUNT MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE,AND I AM HAPPY TO DO SO.
WWW.INFOUSA.COM WHAT A JOKE.
P.S.Isn't your business in O.H. Square?
CAFE 303,AND 155 ROCKS ,STOP IN AND SUPPORT THEM.
God Bless
Joe Mason
Proud of his name Mr. Chamber,why not sign yours.
Better still come on down to a meeting,and we can have an open conversation.I invited you down after we DENIED your grant because you guys wanted to complain,and ask the group to reconsider.
But you never showed.
ok, again......did anyone else have waiting problems at Cafe 303?
and do you think that there prices are high?
Very nice people but need to cater to the prices that the neighborhood dictate
Nice try at changing the subject. It wont work, finally everyone is now seeing who Joe Mason really is.
A. Sure, I bet the chamber did support Tequilas - when they opened like they do with every new business - that is not a surprise. Nobody is diputing that there was dicipline needed concerning the location and they got what they deserved.
B. What does the chamber VP owning the building on Chelsea Street have to do with a new business coming into EB? Is there some prohibition we are not aware of? Is it "illegal." Oh, let me guess - he does not live here so we should be against it.
C. Why does it matter where the owner of the Martini Bar lives? Is there something wrong with people from Marblehead? Is it illegal? Oh, let me guess - he does not live here so we should be against it.
Do you now realize how foolish you sound?
Save the drama and answer the real questions.
1. Were you or were you not the driving force behind two recent attempts to stop new businesses from coming into east boston - simply because the owners were not from here? I heard that you were even up at the ABCC the day of the hearing when they told you to sit down and be quiet because the case clearly lacked any merit.
2. Did you or did you not state that the use of the premises next to 155 Meridian was illegal when it clearly is not?
3. Did you or did you not act as the LUC President in opposing these new businesses and saying that a building was illegal when it was not?
4. Will you step down as president of the LUC if a majority of those in attendance take a vote of no confidence?
Just so you know, InfoUSA is not just a marketing company. It maintains the most comprehensive database of businesses and their characteristics available. In addition to marketers and business folks, it is used frequently by researchers and journalists who study and write about business and economics.
While there may have been legitimate reasons to question and deny the Chamber's request, whatever it really was, Mr Mason's rant masked as a half-disclosure was inappropriate and unnecessary. No doubt Mr Mason will respond that I should attend the LUC meetings before I come to any conclusions about anything it does or decides. I really have no intention of wasting my time at their meetings. Given Mr Mason's behavior, it seems to me quite clear that the LUC is too reactionary for my taste.
If I may be permitted to have my own rant: I am tired of Mr Mason using this forum to make unsupported and irresponsible assertions about what is legal, illegal, good, bad or ugly. It's one thing to put out your opinion. I disagree with some of the opinions that have been posted on this blog, but with some exceptions, I believe that most people are not commenting with the intention of being abusive, offensive or shutting down the conversation. I believe most people are trying to be engaged around what could be and what should be in this community.
In contrast, I rarely see anything proactive or even positive coming from Mr Mason's comments. I see mostly abusive bloviating, ad-hominem attacks, and knee-jerk opposition to anything related to the Lombardos, any restaurant that serves alcohol, and many businesses operated for or by Latinos (oops - there I go inserting race into the discussion). If a martini bar is so odious, what could be put in that space that you, in your collaboration with the community, have offered? I would like to see realistic and concrete suggestions around development here, not just knee jerk opposition to someone else's proposal. If not, perhaps you should start your own blog and allow the rest of us to have a conversation about the community that is productive.
And Mr. Mason, feel free to try to sue me for libel. You know where you can serve papers.
RE: 303. I don't think this is the kind of place where you go for a quick bite to eat. That's part of the atmosphere. It means that you will have to wait longer for your food but it also means that you shouldn't feel pressured to hurry up and finish so that they can seat the next customer. I think it's good to have places where you can sit for a little while and have a conversation with your date/friend, read something, or just sit and stare out of the window before the food comes. It's just nice not to feel rushed. When I need a quick dinner or lunch, there are other places that I can go to for that.
It is a bit pricier than other local places. But we spend about the same amount of money at Pizziera Unos, the Texas Roadhouse, or any of the other chain restaurants we normally go to, so I guess it doesn't really bother me. I don't eat there as often as I might if they were less expensive, but that might also change the quality of the food and wine they offer.
They had a young server during Valentine's day dinner who needed a bit more training. I think they needed more servers on that night period, but other than that, I think the service is great. They leave me alone when I want to be left alone, and they bring me the check when I am ready to leave.
I like all kinds of food and am pleased we have some nice locales here in EB. Just want to throw out some props to a few other must trys:
-Carmen's Kitchen
-Taco Mex
-Rino's and
-The Vietnamese place on Meridian that I can not remember the name and dont want to try to spell it!
What EB is lacking (other than the Hyatt, Hilton, or Embassy Hotels) is a decent lounge where we can listen to music and meet friends for cocktails after eating at one of these fine establishments. Where and when is this Martini Bar supposed to open?
Also, props and horray for n.starluna and chamber member. It is about time someone stood up to his nonsense!
Why is it that you always appeal to Jimbo when you are on the hot seat (eeeew, they are picking on me, Jimbo, I can send you a copy of the request from the chamber). Nobody was even talking about the Chamber donation request - cut the crap. Amazingly, you find a way to bring up something that has nothing to do with the conversation to attack someone who appears to only be a member of that body (Note: that they did not say they spoke for the entire chamber or its membership). But you dont let that stop you from unleashing an irrelevant attack on the chamber that has nothing to even do with any of the discussions on here. Joe do us a favor and leave the chamber out of it - they did not start this you did.
Is there a compilation or listing of restaurants at the airport that we can get access to. I know there is a Legal Sea Food there as well as Summer Shack and some others. What a shame that we have these right in our community with no means of decent, affordable access.
To the author of the previous comment: Let's not mock people in the text of our messages OR in the names we use to sign in. Next time I won't make the effort to print your comment at all. Thank you!
Jimbo,
I think Mason's unprovoked attack on the chamber was so off topic, so uncalled for, and so immature, that if there was ever a good argument for some moderation, this might be it.
The gist of this topic is Eastie's business communities and maybe how we make them better and more welcoming - not how to pick a fight with the Chamber of Commerce and try to publicly embarass them with some story about a grant request to the LUC that Mason that was stupid. What did they do to deserve this? - tell me please - this is unfair to the Chamber.
All this back and forth is much to do about nothing.
The real issue is plain ,and simple.
I know first hand of the horror that Tequilas brought to my front door every weekend.
I also know the Chamber supported them during this,and no one should ever be subjected to what we have gone through.
I signed that petition,and so did every single neighbor of mine,including many Spanish residents in the area.
We were ignored.
I never knew Mr. Mason before this stuff started to happen ,but his group did not ignore us.
I refuse to listen to people say that all he does is "Rant".
So Joe Thanks,and if I were you I would not post anymore because all thier doing is having fun at your expense.
Over 500 people signed that petition,and we were still ignored to this date.
thanks for your comments about Tequilas. You were not ignored however, the Licensing Board held a public diciplinary hearing in the normal course and took the appropriate action of rolling back the hours on the license as it does with problem bars around the city.
The fact that 500 people signed a petition does not tell me that the problems at this location were any more egregious. Instead it shows me that the story of Tequila's problems were portrayed beyond the immediate neighborhood. Surely, Ms. Burri, you will agree that there are not 500 residents who are abutters to that address.
The real point here is that when a story about a business gets told (good or bad), who do we want telling it? Someone who clearly is not afraid to embelish facts to suit his personal likes or dislikes or someone who demonstrates a pattern of excercising unbiased, objective analysis about these issues.
Nobody wins when the credibility of this messenger is badly damaged as has been the case with the LUC president.
Next time people ask why nobody is listening to their plight, consider who is carrying your message.
Really?
Setting aside the issue of Tequilas for a moment, please tell us the point of why you felt it was important to tell us that even "Spanish" residents signed the petition? Also, please tell us how you know they were "Spanish"... is it because that's the language they speak or do you just happen to know they come from Spain?
My guess is if your neighbors are not from places like Madrid or Barcelona, but countries like Colombia or El Salvador, you might consider referring to them in the future as Latinos - if they are not from Spain, its kind of insulting to call them Spanish.
To Latino Citizen; Get over it. He was just trying to say what language they were speaking. Is the spanish word Love pronounced any differently in any other latin country? i don't think so....spanish is spanish
To refer to all people who speak Spanish as "Spanish" IS ignorant.
We all speak the language of the empire that conquered the land that our forefathers came from. No one, however, has ever called me English, and no one uses that term to classify Americans, Irish, Australians, Indians and other non-British English speakers.
To be Spanish is to come from Spain. Otherwise, people should take the time to learn a little about the people they are critiquing.
Latino Citizen is right.
Latinos are from Latin America and the Spanish or Spaniards are from Spain. Just because they speak English in London does not make us British.
If you are so sure that is what Mr. or Mrs. Burri was trying to say, why did'nt they just say "Spanish Speaking Residents" - and I too am also confused as to why it matters that they spoke Spanish if they signed the petition. Did they ask anyone else what language they spoke?
The whole Tequila's saga is another interesting study in this community dynamics - at least for someone who lives in Maverick. I am curious whether the abutters had any follow up with the local police leadership on this issue? Did anyone call LaMattina's office? Were you ignored? It's great that Mr Mason was able to get 500 people to sign a petition to restrict the hours of Tequila's but the more important question is what that necessary?
I would imagine this would only be necessary if the abutters or the LUC or the Orient Heights Neighborhood Association attempted to use existing channels (the police - there is a community advisory council - or our city councilor) to get the Tequila's issue addressed and were ignored. Is that what happened?
I attended a police community advisory council meeting some time before they brought action against Tequila's before the Licensing Board. Capt. Cunnningham and Sgt. McCarthy explained that they had been compiling the needed evidence for bringing an action against Tequila's for some time. Were the abutters aware of this? Or did it just feel like too slow a process?
N. Starluna:
As for the process, it was no different than anywhere else in the city or for any other establishment - dont buy the hype. Tequila's (like other establisments in the square) had its problems and the community complained - often - I know, I was one of them who did.
It only seemed like a long process because once again, being blinded by his own personal bias against Tequilas (I will send you the h-mails) the expectation levels of what would happen were so inacuarately raised by the LUC President who held himself out as the authority on the process. I spoke to the captain and to the Licensing Board - license discipline is cumalitive. In other words, not every 911 call to an establishment means that they did something wrong or are at fault and not every incident is a reason for discipline. But, once again the drama that Joe Mason makes this out to be gets entirely overplayed and the expetations of the community become unrealistic. Residents then become apathetic and disengaged and develop the "hey nothing ever gets done around here" attitude when the process does not yield the results promised (sort of like the "Illegal Music Shop" perception that has developed about 151 Meridian - when people who supposed to know what they are talking about dont, misperceptions get created). Throw in Joe's negative feelings about Tequilas going in there in the first place, and you can begin to imagine how bright his spotlight gets shined on less important things like the "number" of 911 calls as opposed to how many resulted in discipline or were the fault of the owner.
From what I understand and what was presented at the licensing hearing held in the community, there was 1 major incident that Tequilas was culpable for and it involved a fight that broke out after an event it hosted. Add to that 2 other license violations for underage drinking with a fake ID and an incident that occurred more than 2 years prior for which a warning was issued and I dont disagree that it was time for dicipline. Although Mason would have you believe otherwise, the City does not revoke a license for every fight that breaks out in an establishment or a certain number of 911 calls - the standard is whether the establishment is a forseeable contributor to the problem and whether they act appropriately in addresing it.
In fairness to Luis, many of the other 911 events were events that occurred in the square. While my neighbors want to blame Luis the whipping boy, nobody really knows where these other incidents or miscreants originated from- there are 5 licensed premises located in a confined area...there needs to be balance for both the residents and the existing businesses.
EVERYONE IGNORED US,INCLUDING SAL L.
As far as the Police go they were way to slow.In fact at the community hearing they found 5 violation notices dating back to january had never made it to the licensing board for a hearing,they said they forgot about them.So they heard them all at once in O.H..
I APOLOGIZE IF USING THE WORD SPANISH OFFENDED ANYONE OR WAS NOT CORRECT.MAYBE I SHOULD OF SAID THE LATINO NATION,BUT i JUST KNOW THEY ARE GOOD NEIGHBORS,WHO SPEAK SPANISH AS I DO FOR WORK.
TO ME ,AND TO CORRECT THE POSTER THERE ARE MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE SURROUNDING TEQUILAS.
WE SENT IN PETITIONS BEFORE GOING FOR HELP TO THE L.U.C.,REQUESTING A MEETING IN THE COMMUNITY,AND THEY WERE IGNORED BY THE LICENSING BOARD.
THEN THE L.U.C. ZONING COMMITTE USED THIER(LICENSING BOARD) OWN RULES OF PROCEDURE CITED IN THE BOOK THEY GIVE TO ALL PLACES THAT SERVE ALCOHOL TO FORCE THEM TO COME.
and there it is was in black and white.An M.G.L.Law that says if 25 or more peole within a 1 mile radious sign the board must cometo the community.
BECAUSE WE DID NOT CITE IT IN THE FIRST 2 PETITIONS THEY NEVER EVEN RESPONDED WITH A LETTER OR EMAIL.
Thats when a business owner very close to Tequilas said you should call Joe Mason,because he helped me.
SO WE CALLED ,AND HAD A MEETING ,AND THE L.U.C.S ATTORNEY AT NO CHARGE DRAFTED THE NEW PETITION COVER SHEET,ALONG WITH A DEMAND LETTER FOR AN IN THE COMMUNITY MEETING ACCORDING TO THE LICENSING BOARDS OWN RULES.
So lets not split hairs here about the specifics of the countries,as I am sure it was a mix of all kinds,and furthermore it was about our quality of life being destroyed,or children unable to play outside,and getting sick of cleaning blood off of our property.
So in closing to the star person ,yes it was necessary to roll back the hours,because it was being run as a nightclub.
NO FAMILY RESTAURANT NEEDS SECURITY ,AND HUGE BOUNCERS.
P.S. HE GOT CAUGHT DENYING ENTRANCE TO FAMILIES WITH SMALL KIDS SAYING TO PEOPLE WHO DID TESTIFY ,"THAT AFTER 10:30 P.M. NO ONE UNDER 21 COULD COME IN,AND HE HIMSELF ADMITTED IT TO THE LICENSING BOARD AT A CITY HALL HEARING".
He was then reminded by the commissioner ,its a Family Restaurant,and you can not DENY anyone entrance>
What amazes me is that people who knew the rules,never directed us to them,yet a community group knew,and got the job done.
So to the Star person,and the others "we forced that community hearing"YES the Police got involved but they REFUSED to ask for it themselves.I know because I have the e-mails requesting they ask,and the DENILAS.
You can attack the L.U.C.,and Joe all you want ,but they helped us ,when EVERYONE ELSE NOT ONLY IGNORED US ,BUT HELPED TEQUILAS.
IF ANY OF YOU REMEMBER THATS WHEN THE OWNER TOOK OUT 2 ADS IN 2 LATINO PAPERS CALLING US RACISTS,AND CAME TO THE HEARING WITH HUGE PROFESSIONAL SIGNS SAYING WE WERE RACISTS,AND THIS IS THIER TOWN.
WE ASKED THAT THEY NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE THE SIGNS TO PROMOTE RACISM,BUT A CERTAIN MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER ,WHO ALSO SITS ON THE ORIENT HEIGHTS BOARD AND WHO HAS A BUSINESS IN THE SQUARE ALLOWED THEM TO USE THEM.
So you can attack the L.U.C.,and Joe but you were not living our nightmare,or cleaning blood off your houses every weekend.
So again I will say sorry about the loose use of the word Spanish.
Lets just change it to very good neighbors who own thier own homes,have about 25 small children,who were also subjected to this horror.
Thats my mistake,but not an intentional slight.
You may not like the facts ,but they speak for themselves.
One last thing,
When the East Boston Times refused to print the entire lists of of violent violations,El Planatea,and Elmundo did,and called it a disgrace.
So attack all you want ,BUT no one else helped us by the L.U.C..
Do you think the Board did not know its own rules?
I just wish I was directed to the L.U.C. sooner.
If you can attack this post,then you are only doing it for your own fun.
Jimbo:
What about Santarpios - I know its an old staple but we can not forget their successful model -
Cheap eats + good pizza + real barbecue + no salad or side dishes + divey atmosphere = long line and even longer history.
Just thinking about the lamb, I think I may even go there tonight!
I grew up a half-block from Santarpio's and my mother lives a couple doors away. Also, my cousin makes the sausages! So you don't have to sell me on the place.
Joe,
Thats a lie. Capt. Cunningham requested for the community hearing. The request had to come from him, that is the rule.
TO THE LAST POST ON THIS BLOG
If you think I am Joe its a compliment.
But you are Dead Wrong.
Go check the file at City Hall.
It was our Petition,signed for,and date stamped by the Boards executive Secretary that got the Hearing at Father Thoma Hall.
It was the L.U.C.'s attorney who drafted it as said before ,and the cover letter with the official request IS NOT signed by anyone other than a direct abutter.
It was the L.U.C.'s atty. who delivered it.
Duh;You have to live in East Boston,and within a 1 mile radious to get it done.
YOU will not find a single piece of paper from the Boston Police requesting that hearing.
We the people who surround Tequilas ,and the L.U.C. ,no one else.
As I said before if you could attack my previous post,all you are in it for is fun.
I cleaned BLOOD off my house way to many times to let a person like you discredit our hard work.
TO JOE; We Love You,and Thank You for all of the time,and energy you gave us,as well as the L.U.C.'s atty.
to the last post,
Joe had nothing to do with any of it, he only inflamed both sides of the debate. I will say it again, the Captain and yes, your political folks were the ones who had the Licensing Board come to Eastie. The land use council has zero credibility with the licensing board. You can believe what you want but for everyone else that is the truth.
I woulld also like to point out that the last poster's piece looks and sounds an aweful lot like Joe Mason.
The L.U.C has no authority here in East Boston. A business or homeowner goes there only to be nice, they don't have to go. I know because I didn't, I went straight to City Hall and I was approved, they told me that they don't even consider anything from land use.
I will make an attempt to get it out there to the public that you don't have to go to Land Council so that no one has to waste their time.
Keep up the good work Jimbo
Hello
Everyone
I just read every post on this section ,and am disturbed by the amount of hate,and nasty feelings towards each other.
I think that if you feel the need to hate then you need to go to Church,and pray.
I have only had to deal with the land use council once,and I must say that I was treated with respect.
However when it came time to "go to City Hall" ,I got no support as I was trying to protect my Moms house from having an out of state developer build within 18 inches from the side of her house,and blocking all her windows.
A developer who is # 6 in the top 10 (IN ALL OF BOSTON)of having the most amount of unpaid Green Tickets for his properties in East Boston.
**Hes still #6 at www.cityofboston.gov
So to the guy/girl who "went straight to city hall"good luck to you".
The package given to me by the land use council stated very clearly that they are only an advisory council,and do not make the laws,or enforce them.
So to the poster filled with so much hate ,there was no deception,or misconception.
Its probably people like you who can by pass the community with a connection ,or two,and could care less about your neighbor.
That neighbor could of been my Mom.
Good Luck with your hate!!!!
Im not stating anything about hate. I'm only trying to educate everyone that L.U.C isn't even acknowledged at City Hall so why waste time. You need only go to City Hall for approvals and not Land Use.
I asked about elimating Land Use and City Hall staed that they wouldn't even waste their time.
So, I don't know where you are getting hate from me just stating facts.
No need to apply at L.U.C
Seeing that you are not allowed to have any windows within 36 inches of a property line - i don’t see how anyone could be concerned that someone would build within "18 inches" and "block up" their windows as you allege. If they have windows within 18 inches of the property line - they probably should be blocked up as they are a fire hazard to neighboring properties. Why are you not harassing these people? - it would seem to me that these windows within 18" of the property line would be "illegal"
Also, does anyone else notice that there seems to be a pattern forming here - (i.e. a lot of accusations that nobody at City Hall listens to the neighborhood when it comes to zoning or licensing issues). From what I have read, the common thread always seems to concern issues when a certain someone is involved.
So I pose this fair question: is it that City Hall does not listen to the neighborhood OR is it that they just don't listen to those who chose to follow the lead of someone who has a history of being overly argumentative, making simple issues too personal, having very little knowledge of what he is arguing about, publicaly misrepresenting the status of businesses and buildings, and constantly threatening lawsuits and misery?
This IS the reason nobody goes to Land Use anymore - which is a shame. It used to be a reputable organization.
Mr.Chamber / Mr. Anon
You are correct .However you may think the code should be enforced ,but on my Moms house "Everyone" spoke in favor except us,the other direct abutter,and the L.U.C..
LUCKILY THE BOARD OF APPEALS DENIED THE APPLICATION,AND THE HOUSE WAS NEVER BUILT.
BUT ALL OF THE POLITICAL PEOPLE SPOKE IN FAVOR OF LETTING THEM BUILD.
The (VACANT)land is in the Orient Heights section ,and not to far from Orient heights station.The owner does not live any where near East Boston.
Mr. Chamber I think you would be singing a different tune if it was next to your mothers house.
Just to let you know,and people will know where this is by this fact;My Mom is 82,and her sister was 84 she died during this stressful time.
So I will say a prayer for you today in church because you are consumed with hate for people you probably know nothinbg about.
the l.u.c. is comprised of many good people from all over Eastie,so all you are doing is trashing thier good names,and work because you have hate for Mr. Mason.
I did some checking on the chamber friday,and found out that most of its board does not even live in Eastie.
So what gives you the right to say anything about people like my Mom,or those who chose to help us.
NOTHING,You have no right.
May God watch over you,and clense your hatred.
Good evening Jimbo. I just wanted to comment with Anon who said that Land Use isn't recognized at City Hall.
That is absolutely true! I was at City Hall trying to get zoning and I spoke with a gentleman and I stated that I plan on going to L.U.C and he laughed and said:" why are you wasting your time? we don't care what they say! I was taking back and I will proceed without Land Use.
Anon is doing everyone a favor by letting the community know that you don't need Land Use just go straight to City Hall. Good night Jimbo
Keep up the excellent work Jimbo! I really appreciate this Blog. Very informative and helpful.
I am new to EB (and love it here and love the people). FYI - for your readers, please note that I just recently got a notice in the mail from ISD saying that my permit was refused from and that I need to file an appeal to the zoning board of appeal. I spoke to someone at the Zoning Board. They mentioned that if you have a zoning appeal that needs to go before the board, you should contact a Mr. John Forbes at Neighborhood Services to set up a community meeting. Having read so much on here about the Land Use Council and its role, I also asked them if my partner and I should also contact Mr. Joe Mason at the Land Use Council and if tjere was a phone number for him. The woman said to me "Who is Joe Mason and what is the Land Use Council." SO I am confused.
I did call John Forbes, he was very helpful and knowledgeable about what needs to be done and explained the process to me. Thank you John if you are out there. He did not discourage me from going to the Land Use Council , but did not have a lot of information about this group's role, if any, in the process. He did recomend that I also contact the JPNA, which I will.
Can anyone tell me definitively if I also need to go to LUC for my project or not? Is this group like a conservation commission or historic preservation group? I don't want to insult anyone and the info on here seems to be confusing.
Welcome Jeffries Point Newcomer, hope you love it here. Point of Fact, you need not go to Land Use Council but on the contrary, if you do go and City Hall finds out it could be problem for you and no one wants to see that. Just go to Zoning and that is all you need to do. Hope it works out for you
I did not know that!!!
Thank you so much. I spoke to a few of my neighbors who seem to agree that zoning process does not require an application to the Land Use Council and actually told me to stay away from Mr. Mason and his group.
I am concerned however that this LUC is a State or County Regulatory Board that will have veto power over my proposal. Can someone tell me what do they actually have jurisdiction over - I can't find anything on the web. Who are these members, how are they appointed/elected?
To Jeffries Point Newcomer; I can certainly answer that question. No, the LUC members attend a number of meetings and then they can become part of the Council(if that's what you want to call it) but they have no input on Zoning decisions. I'm sorry to say this but once I mentioned Mr.Mason's name and told a zoning member that Mr.Mason told me that I needed to go back to LUC he immediately dismissed me.
Now, call it what you want but apparantely Joe isn't no friend of City Hall as I came to find out the hard way. I have no qualms with Joe and didn't know myself that Land Use is just an organization with absolutely no say and that 100% truthful.
Jimbo, I too would love to buy a Hubster Tee Shirt.
Just wanted to say that some staffing changes have taken place at the 303 Cafe' and the service is great again:)
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