Empire Billiards Cited for Operating Without Gaming License

Operators of the will be appearing in village court tonight to address a citation which was recently issued against the New Hyde Park business for operating pool tables.

The combination poolhall and bar recently  from the village and a summons was issued on June 4.  

Several residents at Monday night’s meeting of the village board at the  said the noise, fights and parking problems have been continuing for over 5 years and the police department needs to do more such as issuing parking tickets and shutting the place down.

Residents also pleaded for help with this issue to new  Inspector Sean McCarthy, who was a .

“This is crazy and it has been 5 years of hell,” New Hyde Park resident Rosemary Hudson said. “Are they operating as a pool hall, a nightclub or a catering hall? I see them operating as all three with constant bridal and baby showers. They should lose their liquor license and be shut down.”

Another resident pointed out that there is no parking between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Jericho Turnpike, but the patrons who go to the establishment ignore those regulations.

Inspector McCarthy said the power to close down or revoke the liquor license does not reside within the police department or the village, but is a state matter.

“We will look into the parking issues, noise and continuation of pool tables and issue summons accordingly,” he said.

One North 12th Street resident said the .

“The public urination, drinking in cars and throwing bottles is just going on for too long,” he said.

Mayor Petruccio explained that removing a liquor license is very rare, along with getting an establishment closed, “however, they have been issued a summons, which they will answer to this evening about playing pool without a gaming license and will continue to get summoned if this behavior continues.”

The billiard establishment has been an ongoing nuisance to many New Hyde Park residents, one homeowner explained to the village board and something must be done.

“They sure are not hiding playing pools – it’s right out in the open,” he said.