PROVIDENCE, R. I. -- Despite support from the public safety commissioner, the city licensing board unanimously denied a request to let Gourmet Heaven remain open nearly 24 hours.
Chairman Andrew J. Annaldo said the issue is "more than about one license" because similar and nearby eateries will also want to extend their hours. He said the board is also mindful of the impact being open late has had on city violence in the past, which objectors spoke about at length.
"It's just not fair to give to one and not the other," Annaldo said.
Gourmet Heaven owner Chung Cho has two locations, downtown and on Meeting Street near Thayer Street in the College Hill neighborhood. He offered the police live access to his nearly 50 surveillance cameras in exchange for the license.
The city doesn't own any cameras downtown and around Thayer Street, a popular nightlife location with a recent increase in violence. The police rely on security footage from business and other property owners in the area when an incident occurs.