Councilman To State: Revoke Liquor License For ‘Blight’ On Community

By Janee Law

jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Huntington Councilman Mark Cuthbertson has again called on state officials to revoke the liquor license of Melissa Restaurant, the scene of 129 violent crimes over the past five years, according to police reports.

Huntington Councilman Mark Cuthbertson has again called on state officials to revoke the liquor license of Melissa Restaurant, which he called “a blight on the Huntington Station community.”

The 1419 New York Ave. bar was once again a crime scene on Saturday, when Suffolk police said they responded to a Shot Spotter activation and found shell casings that indicated shots were fired. Police said patrons reported hearing the shots and described the suspect as a Hispanic man wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt pulled tightly around his face.

The incident is one of 129 violent crimes, including a fatal stabbing, reported at or near the bar over the last five years, according to police reports.

“It is part of a pattern of violence and crime at this location that must end, and we think an effective way to end that is to stop serving alcohol at the premises,” Cuthbertson said on Wednesday.

Cuthbertson wrote to New York State Liquor Authority Chairman Vincent Bradley in July to request that the bar’s liquor license be revoked. His letter did not receive a response as of Oct. 11, leading the councilman to write a second letter to Bradley.

After receiving the letter, Bradley reached out to Cuthbertson on Wednesday, according to the councilman.

Cuthbertson said that, after speaking with Bradley, he learned that there is an enforcement proceeding involving Melissa Restaurant that is pending before an administrative law judge, who will consider whether the NYSLA’s decision is just. NYSLA officials are working with local police to gather witnesses and information needed for the hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 4, 10 a.m., at the Nassau County Supreme Court building in Mineola.

Cuthbertson said that he is excited about this new action and hopes that the NYSLA revokes Melissa Restaurant’s liquor license.

The current liquor license for Melissa Restaurant, which is managed by El Paraiso Elvira Corp., is set to expire on May 30, 2017. Bill Crowley, a spokesman for the NYSLA, said in an email Wednesday that El Paraiso Elvira applied for a new license on Sept. 2. The license was denied on Sept. 13, Crowley said, since “our agency will not approve a new license application for a location with disciplinary matters pending.”

“The Melissa Tavern is a blight on the Huntington Station community and I am once again asking the Liquor Authority to intervene and assist the town in stemming violence directly attributed to this establishment,” Cuthbertson said.

He continued, “Residents and nearby businesses have had enough.”

Repeated calls to a number listed for Melissa Restaurant went to voicemail.