National City councilmembers voted Wednesday, January 21, to allow the Grill House at Big Ben Specialty Market to run a live-music venue on its new outdoor patio on weekends.

"This is the first place like it, that's why it's so challenging for people," said Arkan Somo, a consultant who helped owner Nick Saleem through the application process. "This is the first outdoor patio family place in downtown — imagine what it was like to get the first one approved in San Diego."

With more than 60 years on the corner of 8th and A streets, Big Ben Market was a typical corner store, selling candy, cigarettes, sodas, along with a few Mexican specialties. The store roof burned in July 2013, closing it for three months. When it reopened, Saleem began shifting the menu toward healthier foods, including organic foods, salads, and whole grains while keeping the most popular items on the original menu.

Not all the neighbors were thrilled.

While the north and east sides of the patio are commercial — including the infamous McDini's (which objected to the 1650-square-foot patio in the early rounds) — there are townhomes to the south and the Bay View Towers condos to the west.

"It's going to be impossible for bands to play outside and stay within the sound limits," tower resident Jesse Cox told the council. "The noise is going to be problematic for people resting at home after a workweek."

The council approved live music from noon to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday — with beer and wine as part of the food service while the patio is open.

"Big Ben has always been a good neighbor," said councilmember Alejandra Sotelo-Solis. "We appreciate your efforts to work with your neighbors."

Saleem held a community meeting as part of the permit-application process and only one neighbor showed up — Janice Martinelli. She was concerned about security at the outdoor area, which is in an area National City police deem 'high crime" with an over-concentration of alcoholic beverage service.

"I've lived here 38 years and Big Ben has always been a good neighbor," Martinelli said. "The crowds that leave are usually noisier than the bands."

Saleem agreed to shorten the Sunday music hours and said he doesn't plan to have loud music. He sees the permit being useful for birthday parties and customer events.

"If it's an hour and it will make my neighbors happy, fine," he said. "I don't anticipate having music every day or all day. Am I going to upset my city manager who lives there [in the tower]?”