SLA Upholds Denial for The Derby’s Basement Bar on Orchard

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The Derby replaces Tiny Fork on Orchard St.

The chronicles of Rob Shamlian in Hell Square continue…

A couple weeks have elapsed since we first learned that the controversial nightlife operator is selling his full interest in both Spitzer’s Corner and Los Feliz. The potential buyer is Alon Moskovitch – current owner of Mezetto around the corner on Allen Street. That sale of assets – allegedly in the works since August – was supposed to go before Community Board 3 this week, but became an eleventh-hour scratch.

Well, a tipster tells us that the Derby is no longer pursuing the long-sought-after alteration for its basement club, The Cellar. Their corporate entity – Project 6 LLC – withdrew its application from the State Liquor Authority, which was set to be heard by the full board this past Tuesday.

This story has taken a long and winding road. The short of it is that Shamlian has been seeking to retroactively legitimize this lower level since its days as Tiny Fork over a year ago. There were obstacles at every turn. CB3 denied the application as did the SLA. The heart of the matter is a proposed alteration to substitute the service bar with a stand-up bar. Otherwise, patrons can’t order the drinks from the bar, and waitresses must serve in such a tiny space.

The crusade wasn’t over…

Project 6 LLC applied a second time while simultaneously appealing the initial SLA judgment. Such action is called an Article 78. However, just as the (second) case was about to be considered by the state again, Shamlian reportedly pulled the plug. Apparently the original denial was upheld by the courts, so there was no hope.

So, Shamlian in effect loses the convoluted basement setup. Even if he continues to operate with a service bar, it’s slow suffocation.