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Union officials approve transfer
NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Despite objections of unfair competition from local businessmen, Union Township Supervisors approved the transfer of a liquor license from a closed New Castle establishment to Shop ’N Save’s Confetti Caf .
Thursday’s approval paves the way for Dan and Jackie Falcone, owners of Shop ’N’ Save, to apply to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for a restaurant liquor-license, a process expected to take three to six months.
It will be the first restaurant attached to a grocery store to obtain a liquor license in Lawrence County.
But supervisors put stipulations on the license which will attach to the restaurant at 2016 W. State St. even if the owners change. The stipulations forbid things which the restaurant liquor license would normally allow. They prohibit “hard liquor” from being sold or served; require sales of alcohol to end at 10 p.m. daily; and forbid live entertainment, a dance floor, disc jockeys or televisions in the restaurant.
One of those objecting to the transfer was Gary Cotelesse, owner of Beer Pier, a beer distributor located across the street from Shop ’N Save. Cotelesse told supervisors they may force him out of business by allowing the transfer.
He explained that he has a beer distributor’s license and is forbidden by law from taking another job to supplement his income.
“Shop ’N Save has thousands of products,” he said. “I can only sell one – beer.” He added that once Shop ’N Save has a license there will be a snowball effect with other grocery stores also seeking licenses for in-store restaurants.
Also objecting were Gus Benetas who owns Mr. B’s six-pack stores in Shenango and Neshannock townships and Carl Book of Bessemer
Benetas pointed out that a Confetti Caf customer could buy two six-packs of beer, take them to their vehicle, then return and buy more until they have purchased a large quantity.
Dan Falcone replied that a restaurant license doesn’t allow him to sell the volume that a beer distributor does and said he is only interested in meeting his customers’ requests for alcoholic beverages with their meals.
After the meeting, Supervisor Clair Damon said if the license was already in the township, supervisors would have had no say in the transfer. Supervisor Pat Angiolelli added that supervisors had no right to refuse the transfer for the Falcones, and if they did so, they would have had to refuse all such requests by restaurants.
Also Thursday, supervisors:
UAnnounced leaf-pickup program will begin Oct. 26, and residents should bag leaves and call the township during business hours for pickup. Nothing heavier than 40 pounds will be hauled.
UAnnounced $109,435 in 2009 Community Development Block Grant funds will be used to install storm sewers on Scotland Lane, administer the program and to help pay for the 100-foot aerial fire truck the township bought in June.
USaid they changed benefits for police to allow retirement at age 55 with 25 years’ service in addition to the retirement allowed at age 65 with 10 years’ service.