Corona del Mar Today: Beer and wine license delayed for Shake Shack

The Shake Shack’s application to serve wine and beer has been delayed by 10 letters of protest, a state official has confirmed.

“It’s going to be awhile,” said Nora Amante, a licensing representative for the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control office in Santa Ana.

The Shake Shack applied for the license in May. Fourteen letters were sent to ABC officials protesting the license, 10 of which were validated, she said.

The letters generally expressed concerns for the dangers of intoxicated patrons leaving the parking lot and exiting onto East Coast Highway, she said. Amante is investigating the protests and eventually will write a report supporting or denying the license application.

If the license is supported, she said she would notify all the protesters, who would then have an opportunity to request a hearing. The process could take a month or two, she said.

In an email, Tad Belshe, executive vice president of Ruby’s Diner Inc., said the Shake Shack’s application was completed June 18, and he expected a decision would take another 60 to 90 days.

“We know that ABC does a very thorough job to ensure the granting of any license is the best decision for all involved and we are looking forward to what we hope will be a rather easy decision for approval,” he wrote. “We are currently waiting for the preliminary information from ABC and are looking forward to the next steps. We understand that the process will take time, which is completely understandable. We are confident that the best decision will be made by all involved. In the meantime, we are enjoying the summer sun and continue to do what we do best, which is serve our guest the best burgers, shakes and fries.”

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Rose Bakery wins OK

After a speedy staff presentation and a few public comments, the Newport Beach Planning Commission on Thursday evening unanimously voted to allow Rose Bakery Cafe to continue operating with the same conditions granted in December 2010.

“I was concerned, but it was great,” said Dai Lim, who owns the popular Corona del Mar restaurant with her husband, Shawn Lim, after the hearing. “That was fast and easy.”

The hearing was a review the commissioners required in 2010, when they agreed to allow the Lims to expand the outdoor seating area at the restaurant at 3536 E. Coast Hwy.

Several Rose employees attended the hearing in the Council Chambers.

“I love Corona del Mar,” employee Lance Ehlers told the commissioners. “I love working at Roses. It’s a family joint. Shawn and Dai are like second parents to me. They’re good people.”

Corona del Mar resident Dan Purcell told the commissioners he supported the cafe but had concerns about code violations including messy trash containers.

Christine Lester, property manager for the building, said the company had ordered a new trash container with a lid and had increased power washings of the trash areas to twice a month.

Another Corona del Mar couple submitted a letter to the commissioners, saying they had lived in the village for 40 years and “have not enjoyed an eatery as much” as the cafe.

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Electric Bicycle Shop to Open in CdM

A Pedego Electric Bike shop will open — possibly next week — at 2515 E. Coast Hwy., a company spokeswoman has confirmed.

The shop will sell and rent Pedego bikes, as well as possibly offer tours, said spokeswoman Beth Black.

“These bikes are really hot,” Black said.

Pedego shops also have opened in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, with another shop planned for Dana Point, she said.

“They really want Orange County to be the center of it all,” Black said.

Founder Don DiCostanzo founded Pedego in 2007 after struggling to ride uphill from the beach on a regular bike. He bought an electric bicycle but found it too loud and ugly, so he began buying bicycles and fitting them with motors and throttles. Eventually, he began buying bicycle frames in Asia and then putting the bikes together in Irvine.

According to the company’s website, Pedego bikes cost $1,895 for a 24-inch bike and up to $2,675 for a tandem model. DiCostanzo said the bikes work well when you have groups with varying skills levels — a slower cyclist won’t have excuses not to be able to join on longer rides.

The storefront has a few bikes inside and the message, “Hello, Fun” in the window.

“That pretty much sums it up,” said Black, who has her own Pedego bike and loves it.

The shop will replace Full Circle Fitness gym.

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Sherman Library to host free lecture

Sherman Library & Gardens will host a free lecture July 25 on sustainable food and energy.

The lecture, “Taste Our Future,” will be given by Mark Edwards, a professor and global consultant on food and energy. He will discuss how algae-based foods have superior taste and nutrition without pollution or waste, according to a Sherman Library news release.

The lecture will begin at 7 p.m. For a reservation, call the Gardens’ office at (949) 673-226.

Sherman Library & Gardens is located at 2647 E. Coast Hwy.

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