Council objects to liquor permit for OMG Teenz
Adults currently not permitted in teen dance club
City Council unanimously objected to a request for a liquor permit filed by the owners of the OMG Teenz Club. Photo by MELISSA MARTIN
BRUNSWICK – At the request of the city’s police chief, city council voted to unanimously reject a request for a liquor permit made on the behalf of the owner of a Pearl Road dance club last month.
Police Chief Carl DeForest told council Jan. 23 that the city typically does not stand in the way of business owners seeking to offer liquor to their patrons. However, in this case, he said, the city was left without much of an alternative than to express its concerns to the state liquor control board.
The request for the liquor permit was filed by David Bongiovanni for property located at 1067 Pearl Road. The property in question is the business currently known as the OMG Teenz Club which opened its doors to teenagers under the age of 18 in September after months of negotiations between the owners of the property, city council and the Brunswick Planning Commission.
According to city records, the club received a conditional zoning permit to operate at its current location Sept. 1, 2016 and is open just two days a week – Fridays and Saturdays – to high school students.
“This is a club that serves teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17. They don’t even let adults inside the club,” DeForest said. “It seems counterintuitive and, I would venture to say, probably illegal to serve alcohol in that environment.”
DeForest’s sentiments were echoed by Brunswick Law Director Kenneth Fisher who said the city was left without much of a choice than to file an objection with the state.
Bongiovanni was not in attendance at city hall for the vote nor were any representatives of his business.
Fisher said the Ohio Department of Liquor Control allows the city the right to object to any liquor permits or renewals that it sees as problematic.
In the case of the OMG Teenz Dance Club, he said, the city has filed its objections as a formality and has requested a hearing with the state’s liquor control board in the city of Medina.
The date of that hearing had yet to be scheduled by the state as of The Post’s deadline this week.
“At least one of our council members has expressed an interest in opposing the permit,” Fisher said. “In addition, at least one representative of the city’s administration and the police department plans to be in attendance at that hearing in order to express our concerns.”
City Council also considered the issuance of a second liquor permit during its Jan. 23 meeting. That permit was for the Scene 75 family entertainment center proposed for the former Buehler’s Fresh Foods location on Center Road.
Once the establishment opens its doors this spring, Scene 75 is expected to feature a full-service restaurant, snack bar and two full-service bars inside the facility.
Council did not express any concerns with regard to the Scene 75 permit.
Police Chief Carl DeForest told council Jan. 23 that the city typically does not stand in the way of business owners seeking to offer liquor to their patrons. However, in this case, he said, the city was left without much of an alternative than to express its concerns to the state liquor control board.
The request for the liquor permit was filed by David Bongiovanni for property located at 1067 Pearl Road. The property in question is the business currently known as the OMG Teenz Club which opened its doors to teenagers under the age of 18 in September after months of negotiations between the owners of the property, city council and the Brunswick Planning Commission.
According to city records, the club received a conditional zoning permit to operate at its current location Sept. 1, 2016 and is open just two days a week – Fridays and Saturdays – to high school students.
“This is a club that serves teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17. They don’t even let adults inside the club,” DeForest said. “It seems counterintuitive and, I would venture to say, probably illegal to serve alcohol in that environment.”
DeForest’s sentiments were echoed by Brunswick Law Director Kenneth Fisher who said the city was left without much of a choice than to file an objection with the state.
Bongiovanni was not in attendance at city hall for the vote nor were any representatives of his business.
Fisher said the Ohio Department of Liquor Control allows the city the right to object to any liquor permits or renewals that it sees as problematic.
In the case of the OMG Teenz Dance Club, he said, the city has filed its objections as a formality and has requested a hearing with the state’s liquor control board in the city of Medina.
The date of that hearing had yet to be scheduled by the state as of The Post’s deadline this week.
“At least one of our council members has expressed an interest in opposing the permit,” Fisher said. “In addition, at least one representative of the city’s administration and the police department plans to be in attendance at that hearing in order to express our concerns.”
City Council also considered the issuance of a second liquor permit during its Jan. 23 meeting. That permit was for the Scene 75 family entertainment center proposed for the former Buehler’s Fresh Foods location on Center Road.
Once the establishment opens its doors this spring, Scene 75 is expected to feature a full-service restaurant, snack bar and two full-service bars inside the facility.
Council did not express any concerns with regard to the Scene 75 permit.