The Alcohol License Review Committee voted to approve a liquor license for a new Gorham Street restaurant Wednesday, the latest venture of a well-known downtown business owner.
Jong Yean Lee received the go-ahead to serve alcohol at Brickhouse BBQ restaurant, slated to reside at 408 N. Gorham St. She is already the owner of Samba Brazilian Grill, Church Key Pub & Grill, Riley's Wines of the World and Badger Liquor.
She said this location would be ideal to serve barbeque food because there are not any places nearby serving similar food and it is within close proximity to the student population in Madison.
She made sure to emphasize that this establishment will primarily be a food restaurant and alcohol is simply a secondary concern.
Capitol Neighborhoods Inc. President Bob Holloway voiced his support for the restaurant, but with certain conditions. He advocated closing the restaurant before bar time and keeping the kitchen open at least a half hour before closing time.
This should enhance the quality of life of the community, and if it doesn't we need to be asking ourselves why we're granting such a license,"" Holloway said. ""In the case of the Brickhouse, they meet that standard for us.""
He also said good institutions should be rewarded and encouraged. According to Holloway, Jong Yean Lee has demonstrated she is a good player, as seen with Brazilian steak house Samba.
""We worked at length with her and we've been gratified to see the way it has worked out, and we hope the Brickhouse can be the same way,"" Holloway said.
Madison resident Rosemary Lee spoke in opposition of the approved license, arguing that granting the license would go against the Alcohol License Density Plan, which strives to limit new alcohol licenses from being issued in the central downtown area.
""I believe that we're becoming oversaturated in restaurants and bars in that area of downtown, and to me even though [Jong Yean Lee]'s coming in as a restaurant, it's making mockery of the Density Plan,"" Rosemary Lee said.
