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City Council denies Captain Buzzy’s Beanery a Special Use Permit

Posted at 10:04 PM, Oct 28, 2013
and last updated 2013-10-28 23:03:38-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)–Whether or not Captain Buzzy’s Beanery can extend their hours and serve wine and beer is a discussion that has percolated in the Church Hill community for a while now, going back to June when the request was filed.

After an hour of intense discussion on both sides, and a long-winded vote of confidence from Cynthia Newbille, 7th District, City Council voted  5-4 to deny the coffeeshop a special use permit

Throughout summer and fall the ordinance was pushed back again and again, and the controversy surrounding the special use permit amplified. Just last week an attack ad began running on cable and neighborhood discussion heated up even more–we mean sparks were flying.

The coffee shop is located at 2623 E. Broad Street in a neighborhood, zoned as a single-family residential area. This requires shops to have a certain permit in order to sell food and drinks. Captain Buzzy’s has operated from this location since June 2003, according to their website.

The proposed changes would have extended the coffee shop hours by one hour, keeping the shop until 10 p.m. instead of 9 p.m.

A WTVR poll showed a vast majority in support of the measure.