How Urban Outfitters' W'Burg Liquor License Affects Local Bars

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

Back in May, it was revealed that the Urban Outfitters slated for Williamsburg would have a food and drink component. The clothing store applied for its liquor license last month, and is awaiting approval—along with 37 other new neighborhood businesses. In total, 106 establishments went before the community board seeking booze approval this month (most looking to renew existing licenses).

Unsurprisingly, the Williamsburg/Greenpoint area is one of the most active areas in terms of alcohol license applications. But more bars means more ambling drunk people, a key quality of life component the local community board is concerned with. Thus, not every bar can open—so should UO be granted a liquor license if it means smaller operations will be turned down?

In the same respect that many locals don't want Urban Outfitters to open a store in the neighborhood, the sentiment is echoed for their pending booze component. "I can't think of a circumstance for which it would be appropriate for Urban Outfitters to have a liquor license," City Councilman Stephen Levin said. "We must ask ourselves, 'Do we really want people drunk when they are buying their skinny jeans and ironic t-shirts?'"
· Chain clothing store's liquor license application in Williamsburg [NYDN]
· The Urban Outfitters Headed For Williamsburg Will Have a Bar [Racked NY]
· Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and More to Invade W'Burg [Racked NY]