Liquor license hearing Thursday just one problem for Hotel California proprietor

YOUNGSTOWN

Sebastian Rucci gets to appeal his liquor license in Youngstown today, just one issue the embattled businessman is dealing with while trying to open his new business venture, Hotel California.

The liquor license hearing will take place with Ohio Division of Liquor Control officials at 1:30 p.m. at 120 Market St., downtown. The license is under the name of Rucci’s business partner and former lawyer, James Vitullo.

“We’ve been prepared for this for five years,” Rucci said. “It should be a real interesting day as it unfolds.”

Initially, the hearing was set for early September, but was pushed back to early November. Both Austintown Township and Mahoning County filed objections to the hotel’s application for liquor due to Rucci’s past with the Go Go Girls Cabaret at the same location.

While Rucci has been waiting for his liquor hearing, he has had other issues to worry about related to his hotel — known for its faux palm trees and rainbow lights just on the other side of Interstate 80 from Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.

For example, Rucci’s open house Monday was shut down after about an hour by Austintown police and fire because there was no occupancy permit for the building.

Rucci said the hotel has just finished work on the fourth floor and that he will file for an occupancy permit soon.

In another matter, Judge John R. Adams of the U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio still had not ruled on a temporary restraining order against Rucci in a case alleging trademark infringement on the name Hotel California.

Read more about the new venture in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.