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California Palms obtains state liquor permit
By AMANDA TONOLI
AUSTINTOWN
California Palms and Hotel Suites at 1051 N. Canfield-Niles Road, after many months of waiting and debate, has obtained a liquor permit through the Ohio Department of Commerce.
The permit was approved Monday for Steve James, operator of the Fifth Season Restaurant. The Sunset Grill by the Fifth Season Restaurant is in the hotel.
Jim Davis, an Austintown Township trustee, said the township board had the opportunity to object to the transfer of the permit, but didn’t see it as necessary.
“Based on fact he [hotel owner Sebastian Rucci] had gotten a reputable person in the community [James] who had an established history, we felt confident about it,” Davis said. “Steve has a good reputation with the township. We hope he will continue these good business practices.”
Davis had suggested finding a reputable operator during his previous opposition to Rucci’s attempts for liquor permits.
Rucci approached trustees at a meeting last November, apologizing for not coming to the board sooner, and trustees began to give Rucci suggestions that eventually led to this permit.
Rucci said he was glad for the long process because it allowed him more time to learn hotel operations in his family-owned business. “It’s not so much the alcohol, but it ties in together in entertainment planned for the future,” Rucci said.
He continued that he has plans for every aspect of his interactive sports bar and trendy nightclub vision for California Palms, especially for travelers in the area. Entertainment is high on his priority list in terms of bands, shows, comedians and more.
Previously, Rucci attempted unsuccessfully to obtain a liquor permit through Atty. James A. Vitullo under his business venture, Vitullo Investments LLC,
Rucci also failed to obtain a permit on his own before he decided to start reaching out to business associates.
James and Rucci teamed up to bring Sunset Grill by the Fifth Season to the hotel in the spring and finally got to file for the permit in September.
Sunset Grill serves more Caribbean-based cuisine, along with burgers and sports bar-type food.
James has no previous issues on record and is the permit holder.
The facility is able to sell alcohol once it receives the permit in the mail.
Rucci noted that this is not the last step for California Palms.
“We are still in evolution. This is great news and a lot of people helped us out and we are grateful,” Rucci said.