6/23/05 ~ Castleberry Hill fears shift to late night scene

The request for liquor licenses from two new restaurants forced Castleberry Hill residents to consider the precedent they were setting for what appears a growing business interest in the neighborhood. With very few late night establishments currently present in Castleberry Hill, residents voiced their fears of excessive noise, a growing parking problem and street fighting.

Mike and Pete Jacob instigated the discussion with their request for the neighborhood’s approval concerning renovations and a liquor license. Both general contractors by profession, the Jacobs wish to renovate the building at 51 Elliot Street by adding two small lofts on a second floor and utilizing the bottom level as a deli/bar.

The Jacobs explained that they plan for their food/alcohol ratio to remain 50/50, and the restaurant will not serve any cooked food; the menu will consist of salads and sandwiches.

Although some residents were concerned that this new restaurant could become a nightclub, the Jacobs assured the meeting attendees that their space will be too small for anything other than a neighborhood gathering place.

The association passed both of the requests for support with the conditions that the renovations remain below the existing parapet wall, and that any new windows remain in character with the original historic design.

Karen Smiley, owner and operator of Castleberry Hill’s restaurant Slice, then presented her plans for a second establishment, Smiley’s. Although both are located on Peters Street, Smiley hopes that Slice will serve as a neighborhood restaurant while Smiley’s could draw the bar crowd, as it is located farther from any residential areas.

Smiley plans to renovate only the interior of the old salon, but she did request a liquor license. The restaurant will serve burgers and sandwiches and will retain a 50/50 ratio for food and alcohol. She has attained new parking space that both Slice and Smiley’s will utilize.

These two requests concerned residents that support new businesses but fear an eventual shift in the neighborhood’s atmosphere. Tami Donnelly, president of the association, explained to the attendees that four colleges surround the neighborhood, but other businesses within walking distance of the colleges do not carry college student hours. For this reason, students often turn to Castleberry Hill for a late night snack or gathering place.

Residents agreed that the best way to keep their neighborhood small and residential is to support the businesses that are present. Through neighbor attention and involvement, Castleberry Hill will not lose its character in its visitors, they said.