Any future establishments wishing to serve alcohol in Orion Township will have to bring their own liquor license, as the township recently dispensed their last one.
The board voted Jan. 3 to award the township’s final liquor license to Oscar’s of Gingellville, a restaurant and bar to be open by summer.
Oscar’s will be located in Orion Village Crossing, located at Baldwin and Maybee roads.
The board approved a resolution recommending a new full year class C liquor license for Orion Oscar’s, LLC.
Applicant James Wiseman, who already runs a successful Oscar’s in Midland, was pleased with the decision of the board and looks forward to starting his new operation locally.
‘I think that the board has been fantastic,? he said. ‘They took their time making sure they made the right decision and as a businessman I can really appreciate that.
‘This is the kind of community I really want to be a part of,? said Wiseman, who is also planning to relocate to Lake Orion.
Wiseman attended multiple board meetings and gave a detailed presentation at the Jan. 3 meeting.
The decision was not an easy one for the board, as it was the last liquor license they could issue.
Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said licenses are given to the township based on population.
He said the jobs Oscar’s will bring to the community was a strong selling point.
Wiseman believes that Oscar’s will create 25-30 jobs, and hopes most of them will be taken by local residents.
‘I think it will be a good restaurant for the area,? Dywasuk said.
Wiseman will pattern the Orion Oscar’s after his Midland establishment.
He stressed that it will be a true ‘community meeting place,? with many entertainment options to boot.
In addition to a full food and drink menu, Oscar’s will feature a 40-foot bar, numerous big screen televisions, a pool table and a stage.
‘We usually feature one- or two-person acoustic groups,? Wiseman told the board.
‘Mainly, we want people to be there talking and socializing.?
Wiseman will also serve as the architect and designer of the new location, which he says will help Oscar’s doors open to the public in a more timely fashion.
‘We would like to be up and running in four to six months,? he said.
Community outreach is a big part of the Midland Oscar’s, and Wiseman wants to continue that in Orion.
He noted participation in downtown events and community fundraising as examples.
Wiseman hopes to expand beyond the Orion Oscar’s, and would eventually like to make Lake Orion his headquarters.
However, he wants to get Orion Oscar’s right before moving on.
The township will have the right to final inspection of the property before the license is actually issued.