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Smaller version of proposed South Boston restaurant gains approval

The Boston Licensing Board today approved plans for the proposed Republic restaurant at Dorchester and Dresser streets after the proposed owners - who are putting up the 30-unit residential building it will go in - agreed to shrink its size from 240 to 130 seats and to eliminate an outdoor patio along the street.

In approving David Winnick and David Matteo's plans, the board also required them to shut accordion-style windows at 8 p.m.

Nearby residents attended a hearing yesterday morning to both praise and oppose the plans for a stretch of Dorchester Street that has long consisted of commercial buildings.

Residents in favor, who included both long-time residents and newcomers who said they moved to South Boston from the suburbs or Bay Village to be in the city or to have more room for their families, said the restaurant will bring a much needed local place for people who just want to walk down the street for a bit to eat. The older among them said the restaurant would let them enjoy a meal and a conversation, unlike certain other South Boston restaurants that are geared towards boisterous young folks.

Opponents said the reduction in seats didn't go far enough and predicted that, especially with the accordion windows open in the summer, they would be beset with noise from a place better suited for Congress Street or Broadway - enough noise, some feared, to drive them out of the neighborhood.

The mayor's office and several city councilors, including Bill Linehan and Michael Flaherty supported the proposal. An aide to Flaherty asked the developers to consider talking to the owners of adjoining commercial properties about using their parking spaces during the evening hours.

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Comments

like to see those people put their money where their mouths are and actually move out because of this

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That corner is a wasteland. This restaurant will be great for the neighborhood. So sad it has to be 1/2 the size. The same neighbors will be complaining that there is a line to get in the week after it opens.

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I live across the street from this site. The area is not a wasteland - 4 expensive condo buildings have just been built on W 1st and more being built on Dorchester St. This section below Perkins Square is booming with residential construction.

I did not attend this meeting, nor try to fight it but did attend the last one to oppose the larger concept. This area is not Broadway and we do not want another Lincoln or Stats that is party central Thursday - Sunday and every playoff game that requires doormen or bouncer to manage the crowds, etc. Who would want to live next to that?

I do think and hope the new concept is a reasonable compromise that will be a pleasant addition to Southie and the immediate neighborhood and not another party place or sports bar. It's too residential for that kind of scene. 35+ year old people would like to have a good local restaurant options too. :)

Think about most restaurants in the South End, especially on less busy streets like Shawmut - that is what we were going for here. Or even Franklin Southie would work as comparable size. We didn't want a place that was more bar than restaurant with tons of TVs. There's enough of that on Broadway already.

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Abutter hit the nail on the head. Not much more I have to say here.

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Great post...agree with everything.

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