Politics & Government

Fenton Council Approves Liquor License Transfer

Mega Coney Island manager Rrok Dedivanaj plans to open a Boston's The Gourmet Pizza franchise at 3324 Owen Road.

The Fenton City Council has approved a liquor license transfer to a local business manager, which could open the door for a new restaurant in Fenton.

The council voted 4-3 to approve the Class C liquor license to be transfered from its current owner, Galley O’Malley LLC, to Rrokstar Design LLC.

Rrok Dedivanaj, manager of , expressed interest in opening a Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza franchise at 3324 Owen Road and requested a Class C liquor license.

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Chief Rick Aro said he could not recommend approval to council, based on a background investigation on the applicant.

Dedivanaj has no criminal felony convictions, but was arrested for a misdemeanor property violation in 2010 in Novi. In addition, he had two contacts with the Fenton Police Department in 2006 and 2011, involving alcohol and fights, Aro said. He was not prosecuted for any of the incidents.

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In January, the in a vote to approve a liquor license, with Councilman Bland absent from the meeting.

Bland provided the swing vote Monday to approve the transfer. He said he took time to talk to Aro and Dedivanaj in detail about the issue.

"We all make mistakes," Bland told the council. "I had a nice discussion with this man. It would fill an empty building and provide more jobs. That's why I'm voting for this."

All the original votes from the last meeting remained the same.

Council members Brad Jacob, Michael Piacentini, Pat Lockwood and Bland voted in favor. Fenton Mayor Sue, Osborn, Councilwoman Cheryl King, Councilman Benjamin Smith voted against it. 

The city is able to monitor the situation.

Aro has said Fenton holds annual inspections of businesses with liquor licenses. The city began these inspections to increase communication. City attorney Stephen Schultz said, if Fenton does not approve renewal of a liquor license it triggers a number of hearings at the local and LCC levels. These hearings must take place before the state can revoke a liquor license, and there is process to follow.


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