Politics & Government

Come To Africa Restaurant Expansion Will Have to Wait

City Council wants to first hear from area residents

The Takoma Park City Council issued a "no position" recommendation prior to next week’s public hearing on a modified alcoholic beverage license on the expansion of the Come to Africa Restaurant.

The expansion of the Cameroonian restaurant will add adjacent vacant space to the existing structure. The plan has met with controversy after Takoma Park Police issued a letter denouncing the expansion.

The letter, submitted to the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control on May 31, sited more than 20 police calls in the past 11 months on the property. The calls included three assaults and three disorderly persons events.

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At the meeting, Takoma Park police chief Ronald Ricucci said the restaurant has not had a police call since March. Ricucci also said that owner Alphonse Attey’s presentation on the expansion addressed the issues raised by police raised.

Attey attributed the drop in calls to the hiring of security guards.

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The council was open to the idea of recommending the license, but was hesitant to vote without first hearing from area residents.

Councilwoman Colleen Clay of Ward 2 worried that the proposed installation of flood lights may bother area residents. Come to Africa testaurant is located in Ward 2, at 6834 New Hampshire Ave.

Councilman Terry J. Seamens asked that Attey become more flexible with the restaurant’s hours. “What you are describing is more of a night club environment,” he said.

None of the councilmembers had patronized the restaurant. Clay proposed a council field trip to the restaurant next week.

Attey said that he needs the space in order to make the restaurant safer and more efficient. The restaurant’s current capacity is 99.

“I’m trying to give Come to Africa a new force…[now] we don’t have enough refrigeration or storage,” he said.

Provided Attey's proposal is approved he plans to expand the menu to include Western foods. Attey also said he plans to keep a 70 to 30 percent food-to-alcohol ratio.


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