The Orion Township Board of Trustees has recommended the Liquor Control Commission (LCC) approve a new full-year Class C liquor license for a proposed wine bar, to be located at Orion Village Crossing at Baldwin and Maybee Roads.
Proprietors Nathan and Vicki Hunter, along with their business partner Dr. David Homer, submitted the request to the board in August, and received approval at the Sept. 6 board meeting.
They are proposing a wine bar in an approximately 1,600 square-foot unit (exact unit to be determined) at Orion Village Crossing, and have already paid a $1,000 non-refundable application fee.
The board approved recommendation to the LCC and requested the right of final inspection.
‘It’s our hope to offer the community an alternative in dining and entertainment, and to enhance the township,? Vicki Hunter told the board.
Hunter said they hoped to have the wine bar open by spring 2006.
Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk asked if there were any other wine bars operating in the area.
‘Obviously you’ve done some marketing that says this will work here?? he asked.
Hunter said she knew of one in Orchard Lake and Royal Oak.
‘There’s nothing like it in this area,? she said, adding that wine would not be offered for retail sale.
‘So you want the township to grant one of their licenses, rather than purchasing and bringing one on your own to the township,? trustee Michael Gingell said.
The Hunter’s business advisor said several areas in Oakland Township were researched.
‘You either have to travel to the Fenton area, or down into Birmingham and Royal Oak,? she said.
‘The Baldwin and Maybee Roads area is expanding, and we’ve spoken to the (Orion Village Crossing) landlord. They are really looking forward to this type of business, bringing in a higher level of clientele.?
She said the wine bar would be an alternative to a pub-style place or dance club.
‘It’s lower key…and also would bring educational opportunities to the community,? she added. ‘They are planning to offer classes on wine making and on the different regions where wine is made, as well as wine tasting events.?
Hunter said there would be an appetizer menu offered.
Trustee John Garlicki wanted to clarify if a Class C was or was not a ‘full blown? license.
‘Class C is everything,? said clerk Jill Bastian. ‘Everything on premise. For a restaurant/bar, it’s beer, wine and spirits.?
According to Bastian, the township received a certain number of liquor licenses from the LCC based on population. Two remain.
‘You can’t take the stuff off site, unless you have a different type of license,? she said.
The Hunter’s business advisor said at this time their intent was only for wine consumption.
‘But we would like the option to expand to other drinks in the future,? she said.
Dywasuk was concerned about granting a license to the wine bar, with only two licenses left in the township.
‘If we had the opportunity for a new restaurant who wanted one…once we give those out, we can’t get them back,? he said.
Bastian said due to a change in the law, liquor licenses that the township gives out can now be moved anywhere in Oakland County.
‘We don’t get one to replace it,? she said. ‘We could lose a way of attracting new businesses.?
‘I suppose we could save this spot (at Orion Village Crossing) for another nail or tanning salon,? said trustee Matthew Gibb. ‘I think developers in this township are looking for quality businesses like (the wine bar) type of thing.?
Gibb said it also went along with the concept of creating a walkable community in the Gingellville area.
‘Right now, the businesses going into that community are not walkable-friendly,? he said. ‘A wine bar is.?
Gingell said he didn’t think the township should ‘hoard? the license, but he was concerned with surveys that said people wanted more restaurants in the area.
‘They might come and ask for one, and then we say ‘Well, it went to the wine bar down the street,?? he said. ‘It makes the decision tough.?
Garlicki said he was more in favor of the wine bar scenario than granting a license to a national chain.
‘That has other means of getting (a license),? he said.
Bastian said she was not in support of approving a license for the wine bar, because the board had passed over a long-time family business in the community who recently asked for one.
‘They applied several times,? she said. ‘And they got the cold shoulder from the township…Other than that, I wouldn’t have an objection.?
Bastian added that she would have liked to have seen a business go in the Orion Village Crossing location who would meet more of the community’s needs, such as a Trader Joe’s.
‘I’ve been disappointed with the (Orion Village Crossing) shopping center,? said Dywasuk. ?(A wine bar) does add a little something.?