The East Boston resident planning to open a small bar at the former East Boston Kitchen on Sumner Street is almost finished with renovating the building and plans to open later this month.
Josh Weinstein, who received Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association (JPNA) support back in February 2018 to open The Quiet Few at 331 Sumner St., received his full liquor license from Boston Licensing Board a few months back.
“We were fortunate to receive a restricted all alcohol license for The Quiet Few,” said Weinstein. “Right now we are working to close on the property. In the meantime, we have been working on the design phase of the bar, which is moving along very quickly.”
Weinstein received a Common Victualler seven-day, all alcohol license to be exercised at 331 Sumner St., according to the Licensing Board.
The filing states that the bar will be approximately 1,360 sq. ft. on the first floor, with one main dining room and bar area with a kitchen and storage in the rear of premises.
Weinstein’s original proposal was shot down 14-9 by the JPNA in November 2017 with members expressing concerns over the proposed closing time of 1 a.m. most nights.
Weinstein came back before the group and rolled back his proposed hours from 1 a.m. to midnight. Sunday through Wednesday and 1 a.m. from Thursday through Saturday. That plan received support from JPNA by a vote of 27-9.
Weinstein has maintained that The Quiet Few would not be a rowdy place like some of the other bars that were in and around Jeffries Point decades ago.
With 15 years of experience in the bar and restaurant business Weinstein has said he knows whom to serve and whom not to serve.
“I don’t want people in my establishment getting rowdy and causing trouble,” he said. “I will consider this my second home and I will treat it like my home and I will tell you I would not invite rowdy drunk people into my home.”
Weinstein’s purchase of the former EBK building was contingent upon him gaining a full liquor license from the city.
Weinstein moved to Eastie recently with his wife, and lives on Eagle Hill. He said he was looking for the right place and opportunity to bring his neighborhood pub concept to fruition and found the EBK space available.
On food, Weinstein said his proposed opening would be 11 a.m., and the food would be comfort food and pub fare like sandwiches, burgers, wings, and appetizers for lunch and dinner. A late-night bar menu of grilled cheese sandwiches would be offered after 10 p.m.
If the bar and restaurant is successful, Weinstein said he would consider opening earlier for breakfast to capture the morning commuters heading past his establishment on their way to the MBTA. The inside consists of the dining room seating area, a bar and kitchen with a capacity of about 40 people.