New York State's Alcoholic Beverage Control Law dictates no retail license for on-premises consumption will be granted to any premises within 200 feet of a building occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship.
Assemblywoman Jenne said Cavallario's Cucina had moved the main entrance from the front to the side of its 133 North Massey Street location to accommodate a handicap entrance when it renovated an 1800's circa home into the restaurant in the late 1990s.
She said the side entrance is just 185 feet from the Grace Wesleyan Church, and the state Liquor Authority had informed the restaurant's owners earlier this year they would be revoking their liquor license reportedly receiving a complaint Cavallario's Cucina was in violation of the 200-foot rule.
"Mr. Cavallario reached out to our office to ask for assistance and it became clear after looking into the issue that the restaurant and the church were good neighbors, and Cavallario's Cucina was deserving of an exemption," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"I understand the logic of the law. Bars and churches typically aren't ideal neighbors. But businesses like Cavallario's are in the food business, not the bar business, and the restaurant and church have been good neighbors for two decades. I am pleased to be able to assist a local small business work its way through a sometimes complex regulatory environment," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
She noted the church had also provided a letter noting they had not filed the complaint against the restaurant.
"Grace Wesleyan has not filed the complaint and has not raised any complaints against Cavallario's Cucina restaurant. Since their establishment, Cavallario's Cucina (have) been excellent neighbors to us," Pastor Ben Mackey wrote.
Assemblywoman Jenne said the extension legislation that passed the state Assembly Tuesday was a common sense solution to resolving a technicality that had the potential to seriously impact a local business.
"Locally owned restaurants are important businesses in our communities, and they create jobs. It's not an easy business, and I was pleased to be able to work with the restaurant's owners to overcome a potential impediment to their success in Watertown," she noted.
The measure is carried in the state Senate by Senator Patty Ritchie.
Peter Cavallario, who operates the family-owned restaurant with his wife, Brenda, said he was deeply appreciative of the support he had received from his state representatives.
"This could have been a big blow to our business if we had lost our liquor license. To have Addie and Patty both going to bat for local people was amazing. Both of them have big hearts for the North Country and local independent operators. Addie Jenne and Patty Ritchie do a fabulous job for the North Country," he said.