NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY OFFICE OF ASSEMBLYMEMBER ARAVELLA SIMOTAS For Immediate Release October 1, 2012 Contact: Samantha

Darche, 917-763-7694

Simotas Leads Fight to Preserve the Character of Astoria, Queens

Taking a Stand against the Opening of Proposed Bikini Bar on Steinway Street ASTORIA, N.Y. Working to protect the character of our neighborhoods, Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas hosted a rally opposing the liquor license for Racks, a proposed bikini bar. Simotas was joined by Congressman Joseph Crowley, State Senator Michael Gianaris and community leaders in voicing the communitys objections to adult entertainment in the heart of Astoria. The bikini bar was described by the owners representative as a place where the female staff would be dressed in bikinis, serve patrons, and potentially dance on raised platforms in the bar. The representative also said that the owners would seek a cabaret license, allowing patrons to dance, as well. At the September 4 meeting of the Consumer Affairs Committee of Community Board 1, members as well as a representative from Simotas staff requested that the owners of Racks, formerly a billiards hall, stipulate that they would not seek to become a strip club. The owners refused. The committee unanimously recommended denial of the liquor license to the bikini bar. Last week, Simotas and Crowley sent a letter to the State Liquor Authority supporting the Community Boards decision and urging the denial of the liquor license application for this adult venue in our community. The distinction between patrons dancing with barely clad women and topless women is not apparent, and gives us great cause for concern, the legislators wrote. As an elected official, a woman who has lived in this neighborhood my whole life, and as a mother raising a daughter a few blocks away from Racks, I am deeply offended that these owners believe that this location is the appropriate venue for a bikini bar, Simotas said. Astoria is a family oriented community. Indeed, the proposed bikini bar is located in the heart of a residential area, about half a block away from residences, two

blocks away from a playground and four blocks away from where our children play soccer and little league. At the rally organized by the Assemblywoman last week, Crowley voiced his opposition to the proposed bikini bar." The very premise of this establishment objectifies and degrades women, and this type of business is simply not welcome in our community. That's why I join Assemblywoman Simotas in strongly urging the New York State Liquor Authority to deny this establishment a liquor license," said Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx). "We must do all we can to ensure the safety and quality of life for residents of Astoria and throughout Queens." Gianaris, a life-long Astorian, said, Sex-related businesses like this one are not welcome in our residential neighborhood. Residents and businesses have worked hard to make our neighborhood the wholesome, family-oriented place that it is. A lewd business like Racks will decrease our quality of life and harm nearby businesses, who respect the character of our neighborhood. I urge the State Liquor Authority to deny this application and call on the owner to find a more suitable location for his establishment. When all of us come together like this, it is clear that this bikini bar has no place in our community, Simotas said.