The old Doc's Tavern on Pulaski Street in Polish Town may soon be reopening as La Isla Bar & Grill.
Principals Delmis Reyes and Fausto Reyes obtained a New York State on-premises consumption liquor license in November, according to state liquor authority license records. The license expires Oct. 31, 2013.
Renovations have been ongoing at the premises, though no inspections have been scheduled by the permit holder, according to Riverhead Town Building Department records. The building permit authorizing the work was renewed this week for an additional year.
Although the original building permit application was made by Reyes, a renewal application filed this week indicates an Alcides Arias is the person responsible for the project.
Arias is the operator of El Caracol Deli at 122 Griffing Avenue in Riverhead, according to the premises license issued by the state liquor authority.
El Caracol is a small eatery with an entrance on the Griffing Avenue parking lot. Town police were called to the premises more than 30 times in 2011 on reports of disturbances and disputes there, according to police records. Two arrests were made at the site in July. In November, a man was shot on West Main Street across from the building where El Caracol is located.
Reyes could not be reached by phone and Arias was not available at El Caracol this week when a reporter sought an interview.
Steve Wirth, proprietor of Diggers Pub, a restaurant a few doors away from El Caracol, said Wednesday the neighboring establishment grew in popularity after the Casa Rica Sports Bar on East Main Street was shuttered.
"It seems like they took over where the Casa Rica left off," Wirth said.
Casa Rica lost its liquor license in late 2010 after a series of violent incidents at the premises, which are now occupied by Cody's BBQ & Grill.
"But they stay to themselves in there," Wirth said. "They're not bad neighbors to me," he said. Wirth, in addition to operating Diggers, lives with his family on the upper floor of the building.
"Some people may feel uncomfortable when they see large groups of men hanging out the back door of the place," Wirth said. "But I don't see it as that big a problem."