License Commission approves several restaurant requests

  It was a tasty meeting for the License Commission last week, as it approved transfers or licenses for several new restaurants in the city.

  The commission approved a common victualler’s license transfer for Que Arepa to operate a Colombian and South American restaurant at 163 Squire Rd., the former home of Kabob Hut. The restaurant will have seating for 30 and be open from 10 a.m. to midnight on Mondays through Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

  The commission also approved a restaurant license transfer at 750 Washington Ave., where new owners will take over the former China Garden restaurant and open it as China Crystal. The restaurant will be open pending a final inspection by the Health Department and then the final closing of the sale, according to Russell Chin, the attorney for the new owners.

  “They are proposing to take over the former China Garden restaurant at the same location,” said Chin. “They will be revising the menu a little bit and reopening for Asian food dining in and takeout.”

  The restaurant seats 12, and will be open every day except for Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  The commission also approved a license for F & J Juice Bar and Café at 76 Shirley Ave. That business will be open Mondays through Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with 13 seats inside and five seats outside.

  “I’m very excited to have this type of business in the area; it’s a very good addition,” said commission member Daniel Occena.

  In other business, the License Commission approved six one-day malt and wine licenses for a beer & wine garden for a series of Sunday night concerts at Veterans Memorial Park (formerly the American Legion Lawn) in July and August.

  “I’ve been to the concerts,” said commission member Linda Guinasso. “It’s a wonderful thing for the city on Sunday nights and gives people a place to go and sit outside.”