NEWS
Establishment receives liquor license approval
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Also by Rebecca Collora:
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- Establishment receives liquor license approval (March 17, 2005)
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- Cieslewicz finishes funding excursion (March 11, 2005)
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- City to review Quinton's bar (March 29, 2007)
- Vending Oversight Committee's hands full with Tutto Pasta (September 25, 2003)
- Officials discuss proposed tavern (April 13, 2007)
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by Rebecca Collora
Thursday, March 17, 2005
The Alcohol License Review Committee approved the opening of Quinton’s Bar and Deli, a new restaurant on West Gorham Street, as well as approving the sale of alcohol at The Wisconsin House of Cheese and new ownership for Tutto Pasta Cucina Italiana at a Wednesday meeting.
The current space for the deli and bar is shared with Interstate Blood and Plasma, Inc., on West Gorham Street, but has been vacant since it was City Sports more than eight years ago.
Michael Powers, co-owner of the establishment, emphasized the new deli will primarily be a restaurant and not a bar.
“We know there are concerns with underage and binge-drinking in a college town,” Powers said. “We don’t want drink specials — drink-‘til-you-drop mentality — we’re proud of our food.”
Controversy about the hours of operation, as well as the establishment’s primary purpose, remained in question for both Madison Police Department Captain of Police Records, Planning & Technology Jay Lengfeld and nearby business owners, such as the Jeweler’s Workshop, who wrote a letter opposing the new establishment.
The handwritten letter enclosed with the application for the license said, “There is enough liquor in this neighborhood, as well as other negative activity associated with these licenses.”
Lengfeld, who thinks there are too many taverns in the area and was concerned with liquor and food at bar-time, suggested Quinton’s Bar and Deli close an hour before bar-time, which was met with support.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the establishment is a good thing for the unused space.
“This area has been a tough spot to fill,” Verveer said. “It’s unfortunate to have such a great space empty.”
Quinton’s Bar and Deli, whose menu includes more than 30 sandwiches, soups and salads, plans to have an outdoor deck with fencing and will be open to all ages until 10 p.m., when patrons must be 21 years old.
The ALRC also approved Wisconsin Beer and Wine at the Wisconsin House of Cheese, 107 State St.
Owner Jeffrey Price requested Class A Liquor and Class B Beer licenses from the committee and had both granted without serious debate.
“Jeff’s a pillar on State Street, and he’s been talking about this for years,” Verveer said.
Although the licenses were granted, Price admitted he has concerns about the privilege and said he thought a lot about his request.
“I was worried about the drunks and panhandlers,” Price said. “But I know the area and the people and my clientele, and I feel I can take this on without it being a problem spot.”
The ALRC also approved an ownership change of Tutto Pasta Cucina Italiana, located at 107 King St. Though the restaurant has never been the cause of significant problems, its neighbor Club Majestic produces a large late-night clientele, which Lengfeld wants to monitor.
Representing the restaurant’s ownership change, Jessica Escamilla of Perfecto Restaurant Group, Inc., debated with the ALRC about the hours of operation and agreed to close one hour before bar-time.
“There are problems at bar-time because of the Club Majestic situation, but Jessica has promised me that they are a restaurant and not a bar,” Verveer said.
