Youngstown council to consider 3 liquor permit renewals

YOUNGSTOWN — City council will consider resolutions Wednesday from its members to object to the renewal of liquor permits at three South Side locations.

One location, Breaden Market at 1026 Overland Ave., is being investigated for food stamp fraud and its owner, George Rafidi, is facing charges of assaulting federal officers and brandishing a gun while doing so. An Oct. 22 federal indictment accused Rafidi of pointing a .357-Magnum caliber revolver Oct. 8 at a deputy U.S. marshal who was serving a search warrant at Rafidi’s Lordstown home related to a food stamp investigation.

Another is Club Amazing, the former Duka’s at 21 W. Hylda Ave. On Oct. 19, dozens of shots were fired outside the bar, said city Prosecutor Dana Lantz.

The third location is Crickets Bar & Grill at 1733 E. Midlothian Blvd. because of complaints about noise there.

Don Holovatick, who owns Crickets with his wife, son and daughter, said Councilman John R. Swierz, D-7th, is trying to take the business’ liquor license away because of complaints from its neighbors that the live music is too loud.

But Holovatick points out the police have never cited the business for noise or anything else, the live music stops at 11 p.m. in compliance with city law, and the establishment receives the proper permits for every event there.

Swierz said the live music is too loud, and requests to lower it have not been heeded.

Swierz also said he isn’t trying to put Crickets out of business.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com