PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — City Council approved a special permit for music, dancing and entertainment and a malt, spirituous and vinous liquor license for Star City Nightlife, 6 State Rd. (leasing space at Hayward Frazier Post 2599), but included a list of conditions the owners must meet in order to maintain the permit and license.
Star City Nightlife, LLC, d/b/a Star City Nightlife, has ties to Bou’s Brew Pub, a Main Street bar which closed in April after City Council questioned how the company conducted business, including noise complaints, fights and safety violations.
Public records indicate Richardson Holdings, LLC, of Caribou, owns 85 percent of the business, while Mark Oliveira, of Mars Hill, owns 15 percent. Oliveira is the father of Kylee Oliveira, who was listed as owner of Bou’s Brew Pub when it closed earlier this year. Mark Oliveira was also listed on the application for the liquor license as manager of the new establishment.
Before discussion on the matter got underway at Council’s monthly meeting on Monday, Councilor Dick Engels indicated he’d be abstaining from voting on either application, due to a possible conflict of interest.
City Manager Jim Bennett advised councilors that he, Police Chief Matt Irwin and Fire Chief Darrell White had met with Mark Oliveira and they believed prior problems have been addressed.
“Our sense is Mark has taken over the establishment and will provide new night life to the area. We mutually agree it will be successful. What I recommend is you incorporate into both the amusement permit and liquor license the conditions I’ve attached to tonight’s packet,” said Bennett.
The list Oliveira agreed to includes:
• A formal dress code will be put in place and enforced; the details of the dress code will be submitted to the police chief for his agreement but will at the minimum not allow any so-called gang or motorcycle group cuts and/or colors. Said dress code will be agreed to prior to opening;
• The establishment will provide to the police department on a weekly basis a list of all individuals that have been restricted from the location. The PIPD will serve formal trespass notices on said individuals;
• The owners and/or the principal operating agent will be readily available for meetings with city officials as requested. The city will also respond in a timely fashion if a meeting is requested by the establishment;
• The establishment will work with the PIPD to deal with establishing a reasonable and responsible noise level;
• All employees hired to serve patrons will be trained in an appropriate alcohol serving program with records of same being available for inspection by the city;
• All employees hired as “bouncers” will be reported to the PIPD prior to the first day of hiring. Any concerns regarding any potential employee will be reported to management; and
• PIPD will provide an increased presence in the area, especially during the first few weeks of operations. The establishment will continue to cooperate with PIPD and PIFD by being fully cooperative in all matters, including but not limited to: unannounced inspections, timely responses to all requests and other matters. The city will not unnecessarily create requests or increase presence or otherwise take actions that are not necessary in order to protect public health and welfare.
Five of the six councilors present (Councilor Pete Hallowell was absent) voted to approve the permit and license, as agreed upon at this time.
