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Mamma mia! Italian eatery opening in Williamsburg condo despite residents’ objections

Mamma mia! Italian eatery opening in Williamsburg condo despite residents’ objections
Photo by Stefano Giovannini

They’re seeing red sauce!

An Italian eatery is going ahead with its plan to open on the ground floor of a Williamsburg condominium building, even though residents hate the idea so much the state has twice denied it a liquor license due to their protests.

The upstairs neighbors say the restaurateurs should know when they’re not wanted and just stick a fork in it.

“It’s difficult to understand why a business would choose to operate in a community that is wholeheartedly against it,” said Matthew Cummins, who lives with his wife directly above the forthcoming restaurant space in the

Bridgeview Towers Condominium on Broadway near Dunham Place.

Cummins and hundreds of other residents and neighbors signed a petition last year protesting Mozzarella Holdings’ application for a full liquor license, fearing the restaurant — which plans to stay open late on weekends and include a sidewalk cafe — would plague their homes with noise from diners, increased traffic, and rat-attracting garbage.

The community board voted the application down and the State Liquor Authority denied it in June due to the community outcry — then doubled down on the rejection in July when the applicants asked the board to reconsider, citing the community’s unwavering distaste for the idea.

“Given the evidence before us, there would be no benefit to the community by allowing the proposed restaurant to have an on-premises liquor license,” the booze authority’s board wrote, citing concerns about limited street parking nearby, noise pollution, and the fact that Williamsburgers are hardly starved for Italian fare.

The spaghetti shop needed the backing of locals because it is subject to the state’s so-called “500 foot law” — which prevents liquor-slingers opening within 500 feet of three other licensed venues unless there is enough public interest.

But the restaurant, dubbed Mozzatura, has continued construction and is now angling for a license to serve only beer and wine — which isn’t subject to the 500-feet law.

And it now has a powerful ally — Borough President Adams sent letters in August to both Community Board 1 and the liquor authority advocating for the eatery and claiming it has addressed the community’s concerns, according to a DNA Info report.

Community Board 1 voted to approve for the lesser license at a meeting on Sept. 9, but just by a hair — 14 voted in favor, and 13 against. The liquor authority has yet to approve the new application.

But residents say they are against the restaurant altogether — with or without booze — as the business will nevertheless keep their kids awake, block the sidewalk, and hog parking spaces.

The restaurant owners say they recognize the objections, but don’t plan on throwing in the dish towel — and they hope everyone can just get along.

“I just want to go peacefully and do my happy-to-be-in-Brooklyn thing,” said co-owner Albert Di Meglio.

Construction is expected to wrap up sometime early next year, according to a condo resident who heard from restaurant reps at a building meeting.

Reach reporter Allegra Hobbs at ahobbs@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260–8312.