Bar & Restaurants , Some With Name &

Venue Changes, Before City Council

   By Carol Arnett

The Florissant City Council met June 13 with a light agenda. No public hearings were on the agenda, but the council took action on some bills and requests.

The council passed five bills that were on the agenda for second readings.

They passed a bill approving a planned commercial district at 540 Howdershell to allow for a car sales office for CarGroup Holdings, LLC.

The council passed a bill approving a special use permit for a Wine Bar in a Historic Business District at 150 Washington.

They passed a bill adding one way stops at Bobolink at Flamingo and Chickadee at Flamingo.

The council passed a bill adding a two way stop at Swan at Flamingo.

The council had three requests on the agenda, all having to do with restaurants and bars.

The first was a request for a special use permit transfer from Delor Distributing, doing business as Cannoli’s, to 2.0 Restaurant for the operation of a restaurant at the old Cannoli’s at 462 N. Highway 67. The council moved to refer the matter to the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P and Z). Councilman Patrick Mulcahy said that he would like to refer this to P and Z because it seems different from the previous use of Cannoli’s. The new business will have comedy shows and poetry readings.

City Attorney John Hessel said that the transfer of a special use permit is meant for businesses that will operate the same type of business in the same location. Since the new business sounds significantly different, he recommended that the new owner should apply for a new special use permit, not a transfer.

The second request was for a full liquor by the drink license for Plush Lounge, located at 12667 New Halls Ferry Road. Prince Koroma, the owner of the lounge, spoke to the council.

The business had an incident over Memorial Day weekend in which a patron was found on New Halls Ferry Road after getting in a fight at the business. The patron was also intoxicated. At the time, the business did not have a liquor license and people were drinking there.

Councilman Ben Parson said that he would not be voting in favor of the license because of the incident.

Koroma said that the business was having a private event for family and friends. Councilwoman Jackie Pagano asked why they had a person at the door “frisking” people before they came in if it was just family and friends. She further asked why no one under 21 could get in when the business did not have a liquor license. She questioned whether the business was a restaurant or a bar.

Florissant Police Chief Tim Fagan spoke to the council about the night over Memorial Day weekend. “I don’t think he’s being completely genuine,” Fagan said of Koroma. He said there was clearly alcohol in the building and people were drinking. He said it was a large gathering.

Council President Joseph Eagan said that the business was a nightclub, not a restaurant and bar. He said that he visiting the business and it looked more like a nightclub than a restaurant, with a DJ booth, dance floor and VIP area. He also questioned the hours, noting that the business will not open until 7 pm on Saturdays, and be closed Monday through Thursday. The council voted against the liquor license.

The third request was for a transfer of a special use permit from the former owners of Shade Restaurant and Bar to the current owner, Leslie West. The business is located at 1752-1756 N. New Florissant Road.

West said her long-term plans were to change the business to a brunch location. She said she wanted to start the business and earn some money and make some changes. The council voted in favor of the special use permit transfer.

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us