After a two-hour disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board voted to suspend the liquor license of the Feelgood Restaurant and Lounge. The establishment’s owner plans to appeal the ruling, but if he fails, the 16-day suspension will begin June 21.
Residents have complained about Feelgood, located in the center of town at 1309 Paterson Plank Road, for the past year. Initially opened as a restaurant, event space, and catering hall, Feelgood owner Caesar Sanchez hosts weekend parties that residents say attract patrons who are loud and destructive. Since parking in the center of town is scarce, Feelgood customers often park on residential streets and wake neighbors late at night, residents say, which only adds to the problem. Police have also been called to Feelgood several times over the last year due to fights.
The business faced charges at the ABC hearing of allegedly disturbing the peace, being a public nuisance, and affecting the quality of life.
Police officers testify
The three-member ABC Board heard testimony from members of the Secaucus Police Department about four separate incidents involving Feelgood.
The most serious incident took place during a New Year’s party on Jan. 1. According to Det. Sgt. Carlos Soyenechen, a patron and a bartender got into an argument that briefly turned physical after the patron threw a drink at the bartender. The incident was caught on Feelgood’s video surveillance system. During cross examination by Ramon Hernandez, Feelgood’s attorney, Soyenechen, acknowledged that management voluntarily gave video footage of the altercation to cops for their investigation. The two women involved were charged with simple assault.
Feelgood manager Oby Corral, who was at the establishment that night, testified that the bartender was fired two weeks later.
Another incident took place on July 27, 2008. Officer Michael Simone testified that he saw a man who appeared to be drunk trying to enter Feelgood. A bouncer prevented him from entering. After walking away from Feelgood, the man stumbled, fell, and eventually made his way to his car and started his engine. Simone, who said he did not know the man’s blood alcohol level, testified that a Feelgood bouncer attempted to stop the man from getting to his car, but had not intervened moments earlier when the man fell in the parking lot.
Officer Scott Langiman testified that local police and backup from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office were called in on July 29, 2008, after 150 motorcyclists began assembling in the CVS parking lot across the street from Feelgood. He testified that there was no incident or disturbance and the motorcyclists dispersed peacefully after cops asked them to leave.
Finally, the ABC Board heard from Officer George Sikoffy, who said that on October 19, 2008, he witnessed two men scuffle briefly after they were each “kicked out” of Feelgood. Three other officers were called to the scene, although Sikoffey testified that the fight “diffused on its own” by the time the other officers arrived. No complaints were filed.
Root problems remain
After hearing law enforcement testimony, the board deliberated for 15 minutes. Board members decided to give Feelgood a four-day suspension for each of the four incidents detailed by police, for a total of 16 days.
Sanchez, who did not speak during the hearing, said he was “disappointed” with the decision.
“I really feel I’ve done everything I can do to address the concerns people have. I’m not sure how much more I can do,” he said. “I’m getting blamed for things people do three, four blocks away from my business. And some of the things I’m blamed for aren’t even being done by my customers.”
Last year, after residents complained, Sanchez made several changes to the establishment, including instituting an age limit stipulating that patrons had to be at least in their mid-20s to enter. (Legally, however, anyone who is over the age of 21 can’t be barred from establishments that serve liquor.)
Last week, Sanchez said he and his attorney plan to appeal the ruling.
Short-term, the suspension will hurt Feelgood financially. The day after the hearing, Sanchez said he couldn’t estimate how much money he stands to lose. But he admitted that June is typically a busy month for him and he has several catering parties booked at the restaurant. Should Sanchez lose his appeal, Feelgood will remain open for business during the suspension but won’t serve any alcohol.
It’s unclear whether the board’s disciplinary action will address residents’ long-term concerns. Loud and rowdy patrons may return to Feelgood to party after the suspension is over, and parking remains a problem.
The Town Council may step in to resolve the matter. At the May 12 council meeting, Mayor Dennis Elwell said the governing body has recently discussed the issues involving Feelgood in closed caucus sessions, and is exploring ways to address residents’ concerns.
E-mail E. Assata Wright at awright@hudsonreporter.com.