Burdick’s Seeks To Expand Capacity

Chocolate shop L.A. Burdick’s is petitioning to increase its store capacity after a series of recent clashes with neighboring clothing store Settebello over noise complaints.

According to Burdick’s assistant manager Jaime Napier, the manager of Settebello came into the café twice last week to take photographs, which he sent to the Cambridge License Commission in order to prove that Burdick’s was over capacity. Napier said that the man posed as a regular customer but that she recognized him from past business exchanges.

“He’s playing dirty,” said Napier. “He called the license commission to try to get us in trouble. He’s really going after us.”

The incident stems from a long-standing dispute between the stores over noise from the chocolate shop, the subject of frequent complaints from Settebello.

C. Philip Levin, the treasurer of Settebello, said that the noise coming from Burdick’s disrupts his business, and that the two stores are engaged in ongoing negotiations regarding the matter.

According to Jennifer Fabis, Burdick’s Director of Human Resources, the café has taken extensive efforts to comply with Settebello’s requests to reduce noise, including removing equipment on their shared wall and turning off music in the store.

“We really are trying to be a good neighbor,” said Fabis, adding that if the noise complaints continue, Burdick’s may have to shut down temporarily to build a soundproof wall.

Levin confirmed that some photographs were taken of the café by someone associated with Settebello but refused to reveal the photographer’s identity. He also said that the purpose of the photographs was “a lot more innocuous” than people at Burdick’s had said.

According to Cambridge License Commission Executive Officer Elizabeth Y. Lint, Levin sent in pictures of the café last week and made a phone call complaining about Burdick’s violation of capacity.

Lint said that in response, she sent in an investigator to inspect the café but did not find that it was over capacity.

Currently, Burdick’s is licensed by the City of Cambridge to have 16 people in the store, a number it regularly exceeds during holidays and busier hours, said Napier.

According to Fabis, Burdick’s is looking to begin a petition in the store to garner community support to expand its capacity. Lint said she imagined their application would be successful.

Fabis said that the continuous conflict with Settebello has become a nuisance. “In economic times like these, it’s disconcerting that a fellow small business owner is putting so much pressure on us.”

Fabis added that she did not understand the logic behind Settebello’s complaints. “Settebello should be thrilled that there’s a busy café next to them. We bring foot traffic to them.”

—Staff writer Liyun Jin can be reached at ljin@fas.harvard.edu.