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Paves Way For Cigar Bar

By Carol Arnett

     The Florissant City Council held two public hearings at their meeting Monday.

The first public hearing was a continuation of a previous hearing about a request to open a cigar bar on rue St. Francois, in a historic business district.

Although the council previously indicated their support for the project, they informed Anthony Bowlson, one of the owners, that he many have problems with St. Louis County because of the county’s smoking ban. At the previous hearing, City Attorney John Hessel said he would look into the issue.

“I did not get a sufficient response,” Hessel said this week. He speculated that there is still some confusion about the regulation of cigar bars. “I can’t predict what St. Louis County is going to do,” he said. There are other cigar bars in the county.

Hessel suggested that the council adopt a clean air act for the city that would include exceptions for a cigar bar.

City Councilman Jeff Caputa asked if other cities with cigar bars adopted clean air acts. “They’ve adopted similar ordinances,” Hessel said. Caputa said that he supported the cigar bar and Hessel’s recommendation to pass a clean air act.

The council passed an ordinance approving the business and passed an ordinance adding an indoor clean air act, which should comply with the county clean indoor law.

The second hearing was about a new Tire Zone at 1940 N. Highway 67. Tony Alhejoj spoke about the business. This is next to Burns Chiropractic and Metropolitan Glass. Cars will enter the building from front and leave out the back. Alhejoj and his wife own a similar business in St. Louis City. They will sell both new and used tires.

Councilman Gerard Henke asked if there would be any tires stored outside. There will not be. Alhejoj said they would be stores in the basement or the unused bay. The business will close at 7 p.m. Monday through Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

The council held a first reading on the ordinance approving the store.

In other action, the council:

• Passed an ordinance granting a special use permit to Privilege Lounge at 129 Flower Valley Shopping Center.
• Passed an ordinance amending the zoning code to allow for adult day care as a special use in all B zoning districts.
• Approved a request for a transfer of a special use permit from Toast Time Lounge to Toast It Up for the operation of a cocktail lounge. The council also approved a full liquor by the drink license for the business.
• Approved the movement of funds from one account to the other to purchase a replacement vehicle.
• Approved the appropriation of $5,000 to have speaker Jason Roberts of Better Block. Councilman Jeff Caputa said that he, Mayor Tom Schneider, Councilman Tim Jones, and Council President Jackie Pagano attended the Municipal League conference in September and heard Roberts there. “What he did in his city of Dallas was just phenomenal,” Caputa said. “It was just amazing what he has done for his city.” He said they thought it would be helpful to have him come and speak and see Florissant. Roberts has given several TED Talks that can be viewed online.

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