At one point in the hearing, Heller chided the owner of the building, Pete Rothschild of Red Brick Management, for saying in a media report that the opponents all “belong in nursing homes.” Rothschild, seated in the audience, responded: “If the orthopedic shoe fits ... ”

In the end, hearing officer Tom Yarbrough ruled that the business had gathered the requisite signatures and could have its liquor license. However, he took the unusual step of delaying final approval for two weeks while he ponders possible operational restrictions that could be placed on the business at the behest of neighbors.

Heller said opponents will explore whether to appeal the granting of the license, while also possibly initiating a protest hearing, which will require them to gather their own round of signatures.

The owners of the business have said they won’t be ready to open any time soon because of construction work that has been stalled by the approval process.