100 Montaditos is Still Happening at the Former EarthMatters Store on Ludlow Street
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100 Montaditos is still happening in Hell Square, but taking its sweet ass time.
For the first time since June 2013, the entrance of 177 Ludlow Street is again covered by a plywood shed. The new lumber arrived last month with some new teaser signage. We also sniped a glimpse of the interior.
It was a little over a year ago when the Spanish-based fast-casual restaurant first announced plans to take over the old EarthMatters store at 177 Ludlow. This would be their second location behind 176 Bleecker Street (formerly Pizza Box). But the overall plan to open met with community backlash almost immediately out of the gate, namely from the LES Dwellers block association. The reason – 100 Montaditos currently seeks a wine and beer license.
Community Board 3 denied the application a year ago, and the principals predictably went straight to the State Liquor Authority instead. As many already know, the state almost always approves wine and beer. And this case will likely be no different. Yet, at the moment, the license is still pending.
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The ease of obtaining wine and beer rights calls into question why CB3 even considers these applications. Most denials don’t seem to have teeth.
177 Ludlow is also owned by controversial landlord Samy Mahfar, who purchased the property in September 2012.
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