An uphill battle to launch Deville's Lounge in downtown Port Washington peaked on Tuesday night when the Common Council voted to deny the liquor license that was needed to open the business.
Troy Koput, who has been trying to launch Deville's Lounge in the former Foxys Bar space, appeared at City Hall for the Common Council's open hearing on the matter in hopes of surmounting the enormous opposition he's faced from city officials since he first proposed opening the bar in November.
Even after a roughly hour-long debate, the council moved to deny the liquor license on the the grounds of incompatibility with the downtown area redevelopment plans and the proximity of developing properties as well as the past history at the location and remaining building code violations.
Five alderman voted in favor of the denial, while Ald. Jim Vollmar was the single dissenting vote. Ald. Dan Becker was not present for the meeting.
"I think that, given the development that's going on downtown and the issues that were at this location before, I don't want to see the same thing happen over and over. When you said it's going to be different ... great — but you've got to show me something that is going to be different," Ald. Mike Ehrlich said, citing the lack of a business plan offering details on what Koput has said would be a "lounge" type bar.
Port Washington officials are referring to the development of the former Lueptow's building next door, as well as the former M&I buildings across the street. The Lueptow's renovations also include improvements to the alleyway between the two buildings, widening the space for pedestrians as well as adding lighting and landscaping.
- Related: Police Calls to Foxy's Nearly Tripled Neighboring Schooner Pub
Ben Lanza, father of the former Foxys owner Andy Lanza, appeared at the meeting saying he was disgusted by the amount of badmouthing his business has taken since Andy Lanza left. (After closing Foxys, Andy Lanza moved to Las Vegas).
"My son used to own Foxys, he was running this business and was very proud of what he did … and now that he's gone he's being put in the mud — smashed," Ben Lanza said. "My son asked the city several times to help him make that alley better — and he was always denied."
Koput also faced the problem of building code violations found in the building, many of which were said to have existed while Foxys was in operation. A building inspection of the property earlier this month found 25 code violations, including:
- missing electrical junction box covers;
- extension cords being used incorrectly where permanent wiring should be;
- inoperable cooking equipment;
- a loose sink, crushed ductwork and missing drywall in the bathroom;
- cracked windows.
Koput, who was leasing the space, said he had worked closely with the building owner to fix those issues; about five code violations remained, according to City Attorney Eric Eberhardt.
"I was trying to start a nice establishment down here, hopefully grow with the community," Koput said. "I thought I had a good idea, and we were trying to make it work — I guess it's hard to get off your feet when you can’t even get back on them right away."
Eberhardt said Koput can either re-apply for the liquor license, or challenge the decision in circuit court, essentially filing a lawsuit.
While Patch was unable to talk to Koput after the meeting, several of the people supporting him at City Hall did inquire about his options.
Patch will continue it's coverage of the former Foxys Bar location's fate, so sign up for the newsletter and don't miss anything.
The shifting behavior of the council members and inexplicably contradictory actions they've taken in the past 6 months should have folks looking for replacements in the next election cycle. I hope the lawsuit is successful. Damages and legal fees should be covered by irresponsible city leaders.
It's disappointing that the other members of the council chose to take this road, and the precedent they've set here is concerning. Apparently, any future business requiring any license is going to have to deal with the shadow of whatever former business occupied the space. Also, future businesses will have to somehow meet the standards of a development plan (that I'm guessing isn't written down in any way, shape, or form). Perhaps that "downtown redevelopment plan" is something that we, as Patch readers, would be interested in seeing. I'm curious how specific it is and whether this scenario is even covered.
It is a bit odd that you've got an Alderman asking for a more complete business plan when they're not providing a clear vision of their own. The businesses they really want tend to be too upscale to be successful in this community. A jolt of reality is needed here.
The whole system is flawed and bias. Several bars recently have received received liquor licenses and change of occupancy in very short time frames with no hassle. I do not understand the denial here. All their excuses are/were irrelevant to the license and as RIk said arbitrary. If you wanna change the system then do so. However, don't allow one and deny another in the same time frame. If you want to change these things let the public know. Let the building owners know! Let the new potential business owners know. Now at the cost of the council, another business denied and thousands of dollars were lost and we leave behind yet another empty building downtown.
The new owners there got waived right through without question. I really don't trust this process with Devilles. Either the right asses were not kissed, or the proper palms not greased.
Other people have said it before, including many elders in the community, "Port Washington's council has always been a good old boy's club", and they "don't want anyone they don't know or not local to succeed here", and these old timers cited how the council/city has run other businesses out, including Simplicity, which cost this City dearly, for foolish reasons. The building vacancies downtown are disgusting as is, and now a purpose built bar, cannot be a bar. I think the message is clear, and the Port Council members should lease a billboard stating: "Port Washington, we're closed for business!"
House warming? Police responded to a call at 1:12 a.m. Dec. 9 about loud noise coming from The Port Hole, 201 W. Grand Ave. The caller said the music speakers were so loud the noise was shaking the complainant's home. The Port Hole recently opened, taking the former Spot's location.