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Board approves new club for d'town

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD If the state Alcohol Beverage Control Commission approves the license, the city's club quarter will have a new addition.

The city's Board of License Commissioners gave its approval on Oct. 25 to the license that would be used for The R Bar at 296 Worthington St. in the location of the former Club Cocktail. Ronald Wieners, manager and co-owner of the new club, told the Board that there are no major renovations planned at the site, just cosmetic changes.

The club will be open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. and is expected to have a "more casual, upscale atmosphere," Wieners told the Board.

He said that he does not anticipate hiring many people initially as the four owners will be working the club themselves.

Wieners explained to Reminder Publications that the club will have a "retro theme" and will apply for an entertainment license in order to have a dee jay, karaoke and comedy nights.

If approved in a timely fashion by the state, he hopes to have the club open the end of the year.

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In other action at the meeting:

Attorney Thomas Rooke told the Board that Spano's Restaurant at 137 Chestnut St., which has been closed, will be proposing a license transfer to a business called "The First Family" that will be opening a bistro-style restaurant at the site. The transfer is scheduled to be discuss at a meeting in November.

The Board also questioned Rooke about the status of an agreement between Walter LaBonte, manger and owners of Island Pond Restaurant and the owners of the Two Eagles restaurant. The management of the Two Eagles rents the restaurant space from LaBonte who hold the liquor license. For months, the board has been requesting a written agreement between the two businesses to clarify which party is responsible for the sale of alcohol at the business.

Rooke said that LaBonte has been talking with a potential buyer for his business and that he expects to have a purchase and sale agreement within a week.

Rooke also spoke on another license transfer at the former Caramia's Restaurant on Columbus Boulevard. He said the new business will be called Caesar's Steak House and the new owner has added an elevator in the building to be compliant with handicapped access laws. The new restaurant is expected to be opened in January and the Board will hear the request to transfer the license in November.