Battle brewing between residents over neighborhood bar

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Diana Padilla grew up in this little house on Larkin in the Cottage Grove neighborhood and moved out 51 years ago to marry. She returned two years ago.

"When we came back to the neighborhood it was a shock. This was the biggest shock of all," Padilla says.

The shock was that a bar called "Down the Street" had moved in. She and some neighbors say they've grown tired of the noise, traffic, parking and behavior associated with this place that they are fighting to have its alcohol license pulled, effectively shutting down the place.

Simple business versus neighborhood fight, right? Not really. Plenty of people here say they have no problem with Down the Street staying parked right here. They like the convenience and family friendly atmosphere. Just ask Travis Leach who lives across the street.

"I signed the petition to keep it open," Leach says. "I think it's an asset to the neighborhood. I really do. They have great food. Very friendly. Not too many negative things about Down the Street bar."

Manager Bobbie Everett says she understands why some people might not want them there, but says they've had a clean record for the five years they've been open.

"No. No tickets, no fines. We had the fire marshal show up during our bingo night and he laughed it was so absurd," Everett says.

As for the noise, she says they do turn off the music at 10 p.m. 

But the Padillas and their supporters are singing a different tune.

"I don't like it at all. At night they make too much noise," says Padilla.