City Council OKs Liquor License Transfer For Northville Cigar Lounge

Northville's city council voted unanimously Monday night to allow for a liquor license transfer that opens the door for alcohol sales at the Northville Cigar Lounge on Center Street.

The decision, while an official recommendation from the city, must get final approval from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). But there is some opposition to the proposal.

A representative from St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, which is located behind the cigar lounge building, said church officials intend to send a letter to the MLCC opposing the liquor license transfer because of its proximity to the school. No one else at the meeting voiced concern during the meeting.

It would be transferred from a Detroit location to 331 N. Center St. in Northville. Police chief Gary Goss said the business could seat up to 31 people, 10 at the bar and 21 at tables and chairs. Previously, Owner Gary Klein of Milford requested a permit for outdoor seating but withdrew that request because of neighbors' concerns.

The representative from St. Paul Lutheran said the church leadership is not satisfied with the request to allow alcohol sales near the church property. He read a letter from The Rev. Thomas M. Lubeck, the church's pastor, indicating that the church council voted twice internally to officially opposed the liquor license transfer.

In the letter, the church said it opposes "The issuance of a liquor license to the Northville Cigar Lounge and/or any any liquor license applicant that proposes to conduct liquor sales and/or consumption within 500 feet of our church property."

Klein told the city council that he had been in contact previously with Lubeck, who he said had no problem with it.

"This is no pun intended but he gave us his blessing. I went down this path for that reason," Klein said.

He added that the church's concerns about a bar nearby is not applicable to the Northville Cigar Lounge. He said customers have to pay a $75 monthly membership to enjoy cigars and alcohol at the bar.

"It is not your typical bar," Klein said. "It's like a country club. It's not going to have the type of riff raff a general bar would have."

Before the vote, Mayor Chris Johnson said he was pleased to have the business getting feedback from the community. He also said the owners' compromise to withdraw an outdoor seating request showed the business was open to containing its activities indoors, which was a previous concern of neighbors.

Councilwoman Nancy Darga said the church's request to oppose any business that sold alcohol "limits the use of the property."