Island Cafe

[from the office of Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser]

Councilmember Bowser supports Police Chief’s closure of Island Café and ABRA Board issues Summary Suspension   

(Washington, DC) – On Saturday March 15th, 2008 at 1:17am an adult male was shot in the head and the hand at the Island Café, 829 Upshur Street, NW. Following the violent incident, Councilmember Bowser urged MPD to take aggressive action and suspend liquor sales immediately. MPD Chief Cathy Lanier suspended the liquor license of the Island Café for 96 hours, pending an investigation by the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) regarding the safety of this establishment’s continued operation.

On Monday the ABRA Board met with MPD officials and today they issued a summary suspension which will keep the business closed until the ABRA Board has a hearing. The hearing date will be posted at the Island Café this morning at 11:30am and the press is invited to attend.

“I have heard from Petworth residents, ANC Commissioners and members of the Metropolitan Police Department about their concerns about this club.” said Councilmember Bowser. “This club has been cited for violations for a number of years. I commend the Chief of Police and the ABRA Board for taking swift action with this club until the investigation is complete. This is an action that will keep our residents and neighborhoods safer.”

Comments

[SG in DC]

I recently visited this establishment, I found a substantial menu, I also noted plenty of tables and chairs. I ordered a meal to carry out and it was delicious. The person serving me was friendly, gracious and accommodating. The prices on the menu were reasonable...is it possible that the ownership changed since the noted past issues,has there been any resolution to date? Before we start the process of "closing them down",the community may be better served if a "Good Business Neighbor" offered suggestions to help the owners acclimate to what is expected or desired of a "Good Neighbor"??? my thoughts…SG in DC 8-7-08

[SM]

Thanks for posting this letter. So is the Island Cafe still closed, or has it reopened? I would like to see the liquor license permanently suspended if possible.

[Karen W. Cooper]

Date: March 25, 2008

To: Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration

From: Karen W. Cooper
Friends of Petworth

Subject: Island Café

The Island Café is not a good business neighbor and has had a negative effect on the Petworth Community. As a former ANC 4C07 Commissioner, I was before the administration on several occasions opposing the renewal of Island Café’s liquor license. When this establishment first opened the owner told the community that it would be a sit down restaurant. However, when various members of the community visited the establishment they found a limited number of tables and a very limited menu.

When the community realized that the establishment was not a full service restaurant the hours of operation changed. The business no longer opened during the day but would open at night as if it were a nightclub. In fact as the ANC Commissioner had received numerous complaints of individuals making loud noise in the early morning hours, loud music come from the establishment, and loitering. Throughout my opposition to the renewal of Island Café’s liquor license the business owner continued to rent out the facility to others. The liquor license was eventually approved and shortly afterwards there was a stabbing associated with the establishment.

For the past few years the community has had to deal with the aftermath of Island Café doing business in our neighborhood. I have received complaints from neighbors about having to call the police several times because of minors and young men loitering in front of the establishment. I myself have witnessed the loud music and the loitering late at night. It would be a disservice to the community if Island Café liquor license were not permanently suspended.

It is my understanding that the Office of the Attorney General will be making a settlement offer to ABRA, which might consist of a temporary suspension of their liquor license. Myself and other member of the community do not understand how OAG can make a settlement offer without first talking with the community. A temporary suspension of Island Café’s liquor license is not in the best interest of the Petworth community that lives around this establishment.

I urge ABRA to decline any settlement agreement and give the community an opportunity to voice their concerns about his establishment.