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Ridgewood’s pop-up beach beer garden delays this weekend’s opening due to community concerns

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Image courtesy Rockaway Brewing Company

After much hype and anticipation, Ridgewood’s pop-up urban beach beer garden is being put on hold.

La Playa NYC, located at 176 Woodward Ave., was supposed to open for business on Saturday, June 4, but rising concerns from community members and Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan have put a damper on the planned opening weekend festivities.

In a letter dated May 19, Nolan wrote to Vincent Bradley, chairman of the NY State Liquor Authority (SLA), asking him to look into La Playa NYC’s farm brewing license.

The main concerns raised by the community was the possibility of loud music continuing into the night, large amounts and traffic and added garbage to the area. Residents even got two separate petitions signed opposing La Playa NYC.

“There are two petitions, with 25 signatures each,” said Gary Giordano, district manager of Community Board 5 (CB 5). “The people got these petitions done very quickly. It’s obvious that people who live in close proximity are opposed to this idea of this pop-up beach.”

Marcus Burnett, co-owner of Rockaway Brewing Company, which is hosting La Playa NYC, is working to address the community’s issues with the beer garden.

“We are trying to work with Community Board 5 and we understand that residents are raising concerns,” Burnett said. “One common misconception is that there is going to be live bands or live music. There will be no live bands and no DJ parties, that’s for sure.”

In an effort to reach out to the community, Burnett said he will be present at the next CB 5 monthly meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. in Middle Village.

“We heard the community and are trying to be positive and work with them,” Burnett said on June 2. “We are trying to work with them in order to accommodate everybody. I will be at community board meeting next week. Our plan is to open later this month.”

Burnett has agreed to stop any music at the outdoor venue at 10 p.m. on weekdays to be courteous to nearby residents. Garbage bins will be placed in the beer garden and will have regular garbage pickup to reduce the amount of litter created by visitors of La Playa NYC.

The opening of La Playa NYC depends on the results of the SLA hearing, which is scheduled to take place later this month.