Opposition Grows Against Proposed El Parche Restaurant

News Summary

Residents in the Harbor View neighborhood of Boston are strongly opposing the proposed El Parche restaurant. Initially planned as a 40-seat establishment with late-night hours, the proposal was revised to include 20 seats and an earlier closing time. Despite these adjustments, community concerns about noise, alcohol presence in a family area, trash management, and delivery logistics persist. A new meeting is scheduled for June 2 to address ongoing resident feedback.

Boston, MA – A proposed restaurant named El Parche is drawing significant opposition from residents in the Harbor View neighborhood following a meeting held by the Harbor View Neighborhood Association (HVNA). The proposal aims to establish the restaurant at 636-638 Bennington Street, with plans that have evolved over the past several months due to community concerns.

Originally, the proposal featured a 40-seat restaurant that would serve alcohol until 2:00 a.m., which led to intense pushback from the community. However, the proponents have since revised the plan to include only 20 seats and an earlier closing time of 10:00 p.m. Despite these changes, residents remain vocal about a range of concerns, including the establishment’s potential impact on the neighborhood, which is populated by many families.

Concerns presented during the meeting included issues related to noise, the presence of alcohol within a child-heavy area, trash management, rodents, and delivery logistics. These points were highlighted by numerous residents, expressing their apprehensions about how the establishment would integrate into their community and what challenges it could bring.

HVNA Board Member Skip Marcella played a key role in introducing the current proposal. The restaurant is planned to be owned by Elkin Vanegas, with operations being overseen by Mery Quintana and Amparo Pereanez. The proponents are now seeking variances, as well as licenses for beer, wine, cordials, and entertainment to support the restaurant’s operations.

Project attorney Francisco Gonzalez explained that Quintana brings over 20 years of restaurant experience and that all renovations to the building were performed by licensed contractors with the necessary permits. He added that the only pending requirement is final approval from the fire department for wheelchair access.

The operators emphasize their commitment to creating a restaurant that aligns with the neighborhood’s needs and values. In response to earlier complaints, they worked to address resident concerns by reducing the seating capacity and changing the operational hours to provide a more community-friendly atmosphere.

Despite these efforts, skepticism remains among residents. Many highlighted a sign indicating that the restaurant was “opening soon” before receiving official approvals, raising concerns about the timeline of the project. In addition, residents expressed worry about Quintana’s past employment with Billares Colombia, a bar that resulted in significant local complaints.

Quintana acknowledged the previous oversight of not engaging with the neighborhood at the outset of the process, which contributed to the distrust. This lack of communication has left many residents feeling uneasy about the potential impacts the restaurant may have on their living environment, particularly for families with children.

Attendees of the HVNA meeting expressed frustration with what they perceive as insufficient community outreach and communication, alongside previous renovations that appeared to imply the restaurant had already received approval to operate. In response to these sentiments, the restaurant proponents reiterated that all procedures are being followed legally, with no aspects of the proposal pre-approved.

Attendees were particularly concerned that the proposed closing time of 10:00 p.m. remains unreasonable for a neighborhood that hosts many families. The potential for noise disturbances, especially with outdoor seating areas, was also highlighted as a significant point of contention.

To further address community concerns, another abutters meeting has been scheduled for June 2. This gathering aims to gather ongoing community feedback and provide an opportunity for residents to share their thoughts regarding the El Parche proposal.

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Additional Resources

• Eastie Times: 636-638 Bennington Street Presentation Finally Occurs
• Wikipedia: Restaurant
• Eastie Times: Proposed Bennington St. Restaurant Vehemently Opposed Again at Meeting
• Google Search: Impact of Restaurants on Local Communities
• Eastie Times: Residents Oppose Proposed Restaurant on Bennington Street
• Google Scholar: Community Opposition to Businesses
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurants
• Google News: Community Meetings