In the Village Burger space...

Fine print: 'yes, there will be burgers'

ooh.

Cute kid, though he seems bored.

RobB said:
Cute kid, though he seems bored.

he was between cookies

orzabelle said:

RobB said:
Cute kid, though he seems bored.

he was between cookies

When did Village burger close? I had no idea!

@hankzona will not be pleased that the village is getting an eatery.

mantram said:
When did Village burger close? I had no idea!

Not long ago - maybe 2-3 weeks.

Any connection with the Belmont Tavern? Some friends of ours have raved about that place for years. Not sure it it is in Newark or Montclair, though, since we've never actually managed to go there with them. It's always good to see new places opening up in town - wonder what this will have except for the (small-print) burgers!

I wonder what the Belmont steaks will be made of? 

qrysdonnell said:
I wonder what the Belmont steaks will be made of?  ">

Which ever doesn't at least show

ml1 said:
@hankzona will not be pleased that the village is getting an eatery.

I wish them well...without me, of course.  

based on the frivolous nature of other lawsuits recently regarding the village, I may consider filing suit too. #ohnouseofthewordeatery

When does it open?

jeffl said:
This is great news. Maplewood needs more eateries! No liquor license so I'm guessing it will be a BYOB, right? Can any restaurant be a BYOB?

Jeff, here is some info on BYO. Also, licensed establishments can opt to either allow you to bring your own wine and charge corkage, or not allow it at all. But the biggest misconception is that BYOB means any alcohol...it is restricted to wine and beer. An establishment without a license may not opt to allow BYO since they are still liable for people's behavior if they were drinking at their establishment.

"Primarily, New Jersey’s BYOB law permits only wine and malt alcoholic beverages (the most common malt beverage being beer) to be consumed, thus, patrons may not bring and establishments should not allow their patrons to consume distilled beverages.  Thus, vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, and the many other beverages that are produced through distillation are simply not permitted in any form regardless of the particular proof of the spirit.
Few are familiar with the fact that BYOB is not universally allowed.  Restaurants may not permit BYOB in their establishments if the local government of the municipality in which the restaurant is located has forbidden the practice.  Club 35, L.L.C. v. Borough of Sayreville, 420 N.J. Super. 231 (App. Div. 2011).  Even where the practice is permitted under local law, it is ultimately up to each restaurant to determine whether it will or will not permit BYOB on its premises.  Importantly, even where BYOB is permitted, restaurants may not advertise in any manner that they are a BYOB establishment, instead, leaving it to potential patrons to be prepared.  In addition, restaurants cannot charge any fee, cover, service or corkage charge for customers who bring their own wine or malt beverage.  Finally, not only must consumption be limited to specific hours but, more importantly, BYOB premises should not allow their patrons to overindulge on their premises, despite the fact that the establishment is neither providing nor serving the intoxicating beverages.
Notably, the BYOB law places the burden on the establishment to comply with law and leaves enforcement to local law enforcement as the New Jersey ABC does not have legal jurisdiction over unlicensed establishments.  Thus, patrons who seek to unlawfully consume distilled beverages, or those who continue consuming after becoming visibly intoxicated, are placing the operator of the restaurant in legal jeopardy.  While patrons who violate the law could be subject to penalties that range up to six months in jail, a municipality through its local police powers could charge the establishment with per incident violations, which could become progressively more punitive.  Ultimately, for those establishments that routinely permit the abuse of the BYOB law, it is foreseeable that they could suffer the loss of the advantage offered by the BYOB law.  Further, a history of violating the BYOB law would likely be considered and employed as a reason to reject a future bid for licensure by the ABC."

Interesting about the beer and wine restriction.  I don't think it's well-enforced.  I know someone who routinely brings a flask of scotch to dinner at BYO establishments.

I imagine it's difficult making a go of it in the small spaces along that stretch.  If you can't sell alcohol you've got to make your money on just the food. 

mrincredible said:
Interesting about the beer and wine restriction.  I don't think it's well-enforced.  I know someone who routinely brings a flask of scotch to dinner at BYO establishments.
I imagine it's difficult making a go of it in the small spaces along that stretch.  If you can't sell alcohol you've got to make your money on just the food. 

its a real Catch-22...having a liquor license is desirable as it should add revenue, but the cost of a license and the liability coverage make it really difficult for a small business to absorb the cost and still be profitable. I think most people believe BYO allows them to bring anything they want in with them, so most do it unknowingly. But there are some who know but still do it...I think it is important to know that the restaurant, even without a license, still is on the hook for any liability or broken laws because of the behavior of their customers. Is it likely to be enforced? Probably not, but its not unheard of either to hear where an establishment had a dime dropped on them for some infraction or another.

mrincredible said:
Interesting about the beer and wine restriction.  I don't think it's well-enforced.  I know someone who routinely brings a flask of scotch to dinner at BYO establishments.

Is it Don Draper?

It's me!  I have a lovely flask.  No one has ever stopped me!

lord_pabulum said:

mrincredible said:
Interesting about the beer and wine restriction.  I don't think it's well-enforced.  I know someone who routinely brings a flask of scotch to dinner at BYO establishments.

Is it Don Draper?

There are a few BYO Tequila places that serve "Virgin" Margaritas - usually Mexican or Cuban themed restaurants that I won't name here. I guess that's illegal, too.

right...the infraction isn't up there with serving underaged drinkers but they didn't get Al Capone on murder and bootlegging. If someone wants to find an infraction against an establishment, its an easier one to find.

have the owners of the establishment changed?  I overheard a conversation between store owners in the village last week that seemed to indicate this is a major remodeling but not a sale....perhaps I misunderstood.

someone didn't want to keep the Village Burger a Village Burger.

Those Pat LaFrieda patties were gone a long time ago. Trying to continue with VB's diminished brand would have been a losing proposition.

Village Burger was so so.... decent but not noteworthy fare.  An upgrade in Burger quality to make it more Shake Shack eque would be great.  Better still if we could get Bareburger to come to either town.

hankzona said:
someone didn't want to keep the Village Burger a Village Burger.

well played.  

Please, please tell me it's going to be an establishment along the lines of the laurel....I miss that place so much.

I stand with @hankzona. #ohnouseofthewordeatery

ctrzaska said:

hankzona said:
someone didn't want to keep the Village Burger a Village Burger.

well played.  

technically they wanted to keep the Village a Village, but didn't want to keep the Burger a Burger.