The Newport City Council on Wednesday night approved the expansion of Bar and Board’s victualing and liquor licence for their location at 282 Thames St. The expansion will add a 900-square-foot second-floor deck above the existing first-floor patio, consisting of 10 tables and 37 chairs, as well as a temporary 900-square-foot seasonal area for 2024.
The approval came despite objections from Diana Sutton, owner of the nearby Almondy Inn bed and breakfast. Sutton expressed concerns that the expansion would exacerbate existing noise issues in the area, potentially impacting her business’s reputation and guest experience.
“I understand what you’re talking about. If you don’t want to hear another business from trying to make a living, but you don’t want to take away business from another current thriving business,” Sutton said during the council meeting. “And we are a current thriving business. There’s so many fit and bricks that are being taken over right now by big corporations and it’s very hard for the. For individuals to be owning a bed and breakfast at this. At this stage of how it is and we’re doing it and we’re being. And we’re thriving. And this is definitely going to make our number one complaint, which is noise, get even more prevalent on our reviews with the different otas.”
Sutton also questioned the effectiveness of relying on police enforcement to address potential noise violations, given the limited resources of the Newport Police Department.
However, several council members expressed support for the expansion, citing Bar and Board’s reputation as a more upscale establishment compared to some of the surrounding businesses. Councilwoman Jean Marie Napolitano stated, “I think it behoves people that are going to set up a situation where they have their guests. You have to know what goes on in that area. Unless you weren’t in that area prior to buying the establishment. I would support this because I think it’s more upscale than perhaps some of the surrounding area. And I certainly think that they could improve the neighbourhood and bring a clientele that would appreciate good service and reasonable restrictions.”
Councilman Mark Aramli also supported the expansion, noting that Bar and Board is “wedged in between two of the loudest, rowdiest, most drunky party bars we have in our city,” referring to the neighboring One Pelham East and Newport Blues Cafe. He argued that Bar and Board serves a different clientele and should not be penalized for the noise issues caused by other establishments.
The council ultimately voted to approve the expansion, with the existing restrictions on Bar and Board’s liquor licence remaining in place. These restrictions include no alcohol service on the outdoor patio after 9:30 p.m., no amplified music on the patio, and the requirement that the outdoor patio must close by 10 p.m.
Despite the approval, Sutton’s concerns highlight the ongoing challenges faced by small business owners in Newport’s bustling downtown area, particularly when it comes to balancing the interests of different types of businesses and maintaining a high quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Application For Expansion
