Pita Spot Receives Liquor License Approval

It’s one of the most popular BYOB restaurants in Mystic, but soon it won’t be just BYOB. The at 45 Williams Ave., recently received a special use permit to allow liquor sales for consumption at the restaurant, and is hoping to begin selling alcohol next month.

The state of Connecticut granted the Pita Spot a provisional liquor permit and the Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special use permit for the sale of liquor at the restaurant at their July 17, 2012 meeting.

Pita Spot Co-owner Edward Hokayim said they will not be constructing a bar, but wanted the additional revenue and the ability to compete with other area restaurants.

The Stonington Fire Marshal, Sanitarian and Police Commission supported granting the Pita Spot a liquor permit as did a number of neighbors.

“I live around the corner and feel this business is family owned,” Mystic resident Rank Rochette who supported the Pita Spot’s application for a special use permit said. “They are the nicest people and I hope they stay in business.”

Other neighbors said purchasing alcohol elsewhere is an inconvenience and they wanted to support the restaurant as it has had a positive impact on the neighborhood.

Not everyone, however, is happy about the idea of the restaurant being able to sell alcohol.

“Serving alcohol will add to the restaurant’s negative impacts,” Neighbor Kelly McMahen said. McMahen said the noise from trash pickup will get worse with more bottles.