Union Twp. supervisors postpone decision on liquor-license transfer

By Mary Grzebieniak

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Union Township supervisors have put off a decision after a public hearing on whether to allow the transfer of a restaurant liquor license from the city of New Castle to Confetti Caf , a restaurant in the Shop ’N’ Save grocery store at the Westgate Plaza on U.S. Route 224.

The liquor license was formerly owned by Edward Pagley, 1061 Rear Butler Ave.

Supervisor Chairman Pat Angiolelli said that a decision will be made at the next regular supervisors’ meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 15 to give supervisors a chance to discuss putting stipulations on the liquor license.

Dan and Jackie Falcone, owners of Shop ’N’ Save, are applying for the restaurant liquor license, which would allow sale of beer, wine and spirits at its in-store restaurant as well as two six-packs of beer for carryout.

If granted, this would be the first restaurant in a grocery store to be licensed in Lawrence County, and supervisors said they want to impose conditions to ensure it would not become a problem in the future.

Township Solicitor Jason Medure asked during a meeting earlier this week whether the Falcones are planning to remain owners of the restaurant.

Dan Falcone replied, “This is what I plan to do the rest of my life. It is not my intention to improve it and sell it.”

Angiolelli asked whether the Falcones would accept conditions placed by supervisors, such as a pledge to close at 10 p.m., although the license would allow sales until 2 a.m. and not offering liquor promotions such as “Happy Hour” specials, Falcone replied, “Yes, absolutely.”

Atty. R.J. O’Hara, of Flaherty & O’Hara of Pittsburgh, who attended the hearing and spoke on behalf of the Falcones, said the grocers have been in the community 10 years and are good corporate citizens.

He said they plan to sell beer by the glass and two six-packs to go as allowed by law. He said wine sales are possible in the future. But he said they have no intention of selling spirits, although the license would permit this.

He said the restaurant’s hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. would be extended to 10 p.m. to coincide with the grocery’s hours. And although the floor plan won’t change, a 4-foot wall would be erected to separate the restaurant from the grocery and to comply with liquor law.

There would be three entrances from the grocery store, one with a turnstile. He said smoking would be prohibited in the restaurant, and there would not be music, televisions, draft beer, video games or pool tables, O’Hara said, which would encourage customers to linger and consume large quantities of alcohol.

All employees would undergo training to prevent violations of liquor law, he said.

Angiolelli said the access of the restaurant to minors “kind of makes me nervous.” He said that a minor who goes into a bar would be noticed, but there is nothing unusual about a minor being in a grocery store.

O’Hara said safeguards are being put into place such as signs at the grocery-store entrances to the restaurant warning minors to enter the restaurant from the outside and security cameras and ID scanners.

Five members of the public attended the meeting. Only one, Gus Benetas, who owns two six-pack stores in the area, objected to the license transfer, stating approval “would change the economic situation of this county.”

After the meeting, O’Hara said that if supervisors approve the liquor- license transfer, the Falcones would have to file an application with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

He expects it would take three to six months to go through the approval process.