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Conflicting liquor licenses prevent new store from opening
Michael Mayday
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: News
Chris and Penny Windgate planned to open the Broad Street Downtown Market on May 22, in the building that Broad Street Market occupied until it closed at the end of March. But their liquor license cannot take effect as long as former owner Ed Vajda still posses a liquor license connected to the same building, a dilemma that could delay the new store's opening indefinitely, Mayor Michael Sessions said.
The Windgates recently slowed down building renovations that began April 1 until the issue is resolved, Penny Windgate said.
She said they tried to buy Vajda's license, but after finding Vajda unreachable, they bought a liquor license from John Savarino, who recently sold Savarino's Restaurant.
"We've made every attempt to purchase this license, we thought that would make more sense, but we couldn't get him to reply to us, return phone calls - nothing," she said.
Chris Windgate said Vajda finally contacted them at the end of March, but it was too late.
Last Friday, Savarino called Michigan's Liquor Licensing Commission to check on the status of the transfer of his license from Savarino's to the Windgates. He found out the council had revoked the transfer, Penny Windgate said.
The state does not allow more than one liquor license within a half-mile and must be within a commercial zone, City Manger Michael Mitchell said.
Penny Windgate said city council members started working on the problem by Friday afternoon.
Sessions said the city discovered Vajda's license comes up for renewal on April 30. If the state commission grants him a renewal, it will last for five years. The Windgates said they will not open the store unless they posses an active license because they will depend on the profits from alcohol sales.
"This is really paralyzing the property," Sessions said. "Without a liquor license the Broad Street Market can't go."
Yesterday, Sessions and Mitchell drove to Lansing to urge the commission to deny Vajda's application for renewal. Sessions said he will not release any information about their meeting for a week or longer.
The Windgates recently slowed down building renovations that began April 1 until the issue is resolved, Penny Windgate said.
She said they tried to buy Vajda's license, but after finding Vajda unreachable, they bought a liquor license from John Savarino, who recently sold Savarino's Restaurant.
"We've made every attempt to purchase this license, we thought that would make more sense, but we couldn't get him to reply to us, return phone calls - nothing," she said.
Chris Windgate said Vajda finally contacted them at the end of March, but it was too late.
Last Friday, Savarino called Michigan's Liquor Licensing Commission to check on the status of the transfer of his license from Savarino's to the Windgates. He found out the council had revoked the transfer, Penny Windgate said.
The state does not allow more than one liquor license within a half-mile and must be within a commercial zone, City Manger Michael Mitchell said.
Penny Windgate said city council members started working on the problem by Friday afternoon.
Sessions said the city discovered Vajda's license comes up for renewal on April 30. If the state commission grants him a renewal, it will last for five years. The Windgates said they will not open the store unless they posses an active license because they will depend on the profits from alcohol sales.
"This is really paralyzing the property," Sessions said. "Without a liquor license the Broad Street Market can't go."
Yesterday, Sessions and Mitchell drove to Lansing to urge the commission to deny Vajda's application for renewal. Sessions said he will not release any information about their meeting for a week or longer.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
randy
posted 4/23/09 @ 3:45 PM EST
State won't rescind denial of Broad Street grocery store liquor license:
www.hillsdale.net/homepage/x718266915/State-won-t-rescind-denial-of-Broad-Street-grocery-store-liquor-license
Sessions: -1, Freedom: +1
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