PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The city licensing board did not vote on Gourmet Heaven's request to remain open nearly 24 hours a day at its two locations: downtown on Weybosset Street, and in the College Hill neighborhood off Thayer Street.
The board instead heard additional testimony Wednesday, and said a decision could come as early as Thursday.
The owners of Saki's Pizza and Pizza Queen, both on Weybosset, said if Gourmet Heaven is given permission to remain open late, they want the same license. Officials from Brown University, Johnson & Wales University and the College Hill Neighborhood Association also repeated their opposition.
Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare wrote a letter in support of a 90-day probationary period based on owner Chung Cho's willingness to give the police access to the grocery store, deli and buffet's live surveillance cameras, and hire officers for the later hours.
The commissioner's support seems inconsistent with testimony police Capt. George Stamatakos, the department's community liaison, gave July 10. Stamatakos was adamant the license shouldn't be given. He said such a license could reverse the city's successful work over the last few years to reduce post-nightclub violence.