Apr 30, 2008 5:57 pm US/Eastern
Neighbors Unhappy About Bar's Last Minute Reprieve
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
Wednesday was to be the last day of business for a Baltimore bar and liquor store which was ordered closed after neighborhood complaints.
But as
Suzanne Collins reports a judge gave the business owner a temporary reprieve and neighbors aren't happy about it.
Homeowners in Reservoir Hill and Bolton Hill say the Linden Bar and Package Goods on North Avenue is a neighborhood nuisance. At a recent liquor board hearing, the business was told to close at that location after police testified they'd been called there 45 times in one year.
"They've had shootings there in the last 30-40 days. It's all drug related," said Joe Lazazzera.
In an emergency hearing Wednesday, Chang Yim and his family asked to be able to remain open until they can appeal and a judge granted that stay.
"It's gonna allow him to continue in business and we're going to try to work with the community to resolve whatever issues they perceive to exist," said Richard Bittner, Yim's lawyer.
Yim's family says six family members depend on the income.
"Mother and father, two child and self depend on business monies," said Hye Yang.
Yim's lawyer says the business has operated at North Avenue and Linden for decades, but the neighborhood has become gentrified. He says there will be crime at the corner even if it closes.
A patron living nearby says crime isn't the owner's fault.
"They don't have nothing to do with it, so why you going to put them out of business and make us go an extra mile?" said Valeria Johnson.
The judge decided the business owner hasn't been given due process and should be allowed to remain open until he can take his case to court.
"I was really disappointed. The judge just extended the licenses even further. That means we're going to have a couple more months of more drug dealing, more loitering on that corner," said Lee Hairston.
The owner gets to keep this business open at least until June 5, when a judge will review the liquor board's decision.
The owner says he's worked to improve security but the liquor board says the violent crime outside is behind its decision.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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