8 THE QUEENS COURIER • MARСH 12, 2020 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
Oakland Gardens residents demand closure of Lavoo Cafe
BY BENJAMIN MANDILE
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
Community members and elected offi -
cials in Oakland Gardens gathered Friday
outside of Lavoo Cafe, shouting “no more
Lavoo,” demanding the closure of the
smoke lounge, which has seen several
incidents of violence, including a brawl
on Feb. 29.
“With a number of incidents at Lavoo
Cafe in recent months, most notably last
weekend, it is imperative we take a serious
look at whether or not this establishment
should have the right to operate
in Queens with a liquor license,” said
Assemblyman David Weprin.
QNS reported last week that the establishment
has been the scene of numerous
shootings and slashings over the last
three months.
Most recently, offi cers from the 111th
Precinct were called to Lavoo aft er 2
a.m., on Feb. 29, following reports of
“a large group fi ghting” and shots fi red.
Employees at the establishment said that
a fi ght had broken out inside but security
had pushed the men out onto the street,
police said.
Two men ages 25 and 26 suff ered gunshot
wounds to the thigh and groin,
respectively. Th ey were transported to
Long Island Jewish Hospital and North
Shore Hospital. Police also reported that
three men, ages 27, 34 and 46, were
slashed in their faces and were transported
to Jamaica Hospital. All of the victims
remain in stable condition.
Police said that several males struck
a sixth man, 29, in the face, resulting in
bruises to his nose, eyes and forehead.
Th ere have been no arrests made at this
time and the investigation is ongoing.
Weprin said elected offi cials and community
leaders are united against Lavoo
and that the community would do everything
they can within their power to shut
down the cafe.
Eileen Miller, chair of Community
Board 11, said that the board will work
closely with the NY Liquor Authority to
have Lavoo Cafe’s license removed and the
establishment shuttered.
Th e establishment at 224-13 Union
Tpke. in Oakland Gardens is being
reviewed by the Community Board 11
Public Safety Committee this
month who will examine the
terms of its liquor license,
according to Joseph
Marziliano, district
manager
of Community
Board 11.
Community
members and
the elected offi -
cials do not
believe
t h a t
t h e
lounge coincides with their community
values.
“We need a business that
will be symbiotic with the
neighborhood and not put
children and families in harm’s
way,” said state Senator John
Liu. “Lavoo needs to
go.”
Residents have
started a Change.
org petition
that has garnered
over
1,200 signers
as of Monday
morning.
Additional
reporting by
Jenna Bagcal.
Photos by Dean Moses
Community members and elected offi cials gathered in Oakland Gardens to demand the
closure of Lavoo Cafe.
Assemblyman David Weprin speaks outside Lavoo Cafe.
State Senator John Liu Councilman Barry Grodenchik with Weprin (l.) and Liu (r.).
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