Bain-Blog

Monday, July 21, 2008

Liquor License

The council, except Councilor Esslinger - he is one of the applicants, will decide tomorrow whether to grant a "Class B" license to one of six applicants or, as suggested as a possibility by Councilor Burk Tower, hold onto it as incentive for a future development project.

This will not be an easy decision. All six applicants propose projects that could, in their own way, provide something of value to the community. Three of the proposals offer downtown/central city options - one tavern and two restaurants, of which one would be on the riverfront - and two others are for projects located along Highway 41 - a full-service bar in a new hotel and new chain restaurant by the The Outlet Shoppes. Of course, we would not be in this position if the state, influenced heavily by the Tavern League, would yield control to local governments to determine how many "Class B" licenses to grant.

So, I would like to hear from you. Do you think the council should grant the "Class B" license, and if so, to whom, or should the council retain it for a future development project of greater economic impact? I welcome your input.

-Bryan

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posted by Bryan L. Bain at 7/21/2008 09:00:00 AM

21 Comments:

  • I would be inclined to look pretty hard at the Sweetwater proposal and how long it would be to get running. That is on the river and something that this city needs.

    I am curious to see what the others have as well but would be less likely to look at something like Comfort Suites as there are plenty of Hotel/Rest. combinations in Oshkosh already with one more on the way with the Waterfront.

    It will be an interesting meeting and the outcome will most likely be to sit on the license for another year...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 21, 2008 12:36 PM  

  • Dear Bryan-

    I like the Sweetwater proposal. If that could help that area get developed in a more positive way I think they should be granted the license.

    I do not think the license should in anyway be held for a future development.

    By Blogger Mike Norton, at July 21, 2008 1:00 PM  

  • I like the downtown projects. The Esslinger proposal sounds intriguing. It said in the paper that he wants to use two members of the Pride of Oshkosh. I'm assuming that means two of the lions? You should ask about this Bryan.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 21, 2008 3:42 PM  

  • With the city continually desirous of developing the waterfront, the Sweetwater deal seems like a no-brainer. But the former Great Plains eatery is a far-too-long emptybox that has become an eyesore. Being along the Highway 41 corridor and close to EAA grounds, this is one that should be considered too. I really don't see where Mr. Esslinger's tavern proposal is much different than any other neighborhood bar. It may be downtown but so are plenty of other bars. His idea is nothing new, nor special.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 21, 2008 4:15 PM  

  • Anonymous said:

    "It said in the paper that he wants to use two members of the Pride of Oshkosh. I'm assuming that means two of the lions?"

    Yes, my understanding is that he would like to have two of the Pride of Oshkosh lions on display.

    -Bryan

    By Blogger Bryan L. Bain, at July 21, 2008 6:06 PM  

  • I think Councilor Esslinger's proposal would be the coolest option. It's the only one that brings the historic aspect into it and using the Pride of Oshkosh only enhances the possibilities.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 22, 2008 12:42 AM  

  • I believe I recall Sweetwater was going for the 300 seat exemption at an earlier meeting. I think they should continue that route and construct a 300 seat facility they would not require them to receive this license.

    The downtown winebar restaurant is an interesting concept. As primarily a wine distributor and wine sales coupled with a restaurant, I think they should investigate the wine and beer style license rather than tie up one of the very sought after Class B licenses.

    I also think Comfort Suites could do quite nicely offering wine and beer to their guests. I don't believe that facility was built with a large bar/dining area the type that we had seen at the Pioneer Inn or the old Holiday Inn. Those types of large bar areas would need a full service license, but a wine and beer offering would complement an evening version of a continental breakfast bar.

    Joes Dry Dock simply does not offer enough impact to warrent this valuable license.

    My top pick would be the Chief Oshkosh Saloon. Waht a perfect fit for downtown. It would be a destination location to draw people downtown and couple that visit with a type of historic old Oshkosh feeling. We know people hunger for that do to the feedback from the recient downtown film shoot. A well appointed historic Oshkosh watering hole would be a great addition to downtown.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 22, 2008 7:06 AM  

  • I don't think the city should even consider Esslinger's proposal.

    Council members should not be in the business of using their official positions to improve their personal financial situations. (and it doesn't matter if he votes on this or not--he's put his name on it.)

    Of course Esslinger would want to derail the Waterfront project so that he could go forward with his own bar down the street.

    Makes sense now.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 22, 2008 8:10 AM  

  • I don't think people in a bar are going to care about 2 lion statues being on display, especially in that location. Comfort Suites is almost built, meaning they've made a substantial investment already into the community. Give the license to them to enhance what they're already building.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 22, 2008 8:53 AM  

  • "Comfort Suites is almost built, meaning they've made a substantial investment already into the community. Give the license to them to enhance what they're already building"

    I'm betting they don't even have a "bar room" in that place. I'm thinking only a counter and sitting area they'll use for the breakfast bar.

    The Chief Oshkosh plan gets my vote!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 22, 2008 11:18 AM  

  • "It said in the paper that he wants to use two members of the Pride of Oshkosh. I'm assuming that means two of the lions?"

    Yes, Mr. Esslinger owns two of the lions and they are currently on display in Aurora Hospital.

    It is great that he is looking to bring some of the history of Oshkosh to downtown. If Sweetwater is looking at the exemption, then let Esslinger have it.

    I don't think that him being a council member should be a factor. Postive or negative. He is entitled to own a business just as much as our former Mayor Castle. He is not voting on anything to do with the licenses because he is on the list so that should be enough.

    Giving it to Comfort Suites just because "they invested money" is not a good reason. Let them show a business plan just like anyone else and if it is better, let them have it.

    "Of course Esslinger would want to derail the Waterfront project so that he could go forward with his own bar down the street."

    How could he benefit from that? Where is the connection? The Waterfront has their own license.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 22, 2008 12:22 PM  

  • I tend to agree. 2 hoots for 2 lions? Not!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 22, 2008 1:23 PM  

  • Hats off to the council. You made the right decision on the liquor license. Shame on Tony Palmeri for his attack on the city staff and it was nice to see you stick up for them Bryan. It was also a shock to see Dr. Palmeri express support for the Chief Oshkosh Saloon. Councilman Esslinger was the least prepared of anyone with no business plan and never explaining how many jobs his saloon would generate. Councilor Jess King likened the application process to a job interview. As ill-prepared as Esslinger was for this license exercise it's easy to understand why he was unemployed for so long.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 22, 2008 11:20 PM  

  • One anonymous said Comfort Suites should show a business plan like everyone else did. I'm sure they needed to provide a busainess plan to get the financing they did to build what they already have. They explained more to the council about their intentions than Mr. Esslinger. He said nothing really about his plan and admitted he had no business plan. The other applicants are entrepreneurs. Esslinger is just a wannabe.

    Another anonymous said Comfort Suites would probably not have a "bar room." The developer satisfactorily explained about needing it for banquets, weddings and such.

    In the end the council made the right decision and the Sweetwater Boat Yard Bar and Grill will be a nice addition to the waterfront and a good jump start for other development along the water.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 23, 2008 9:42 AM  

  • The Boat Yard will do OK but I wonder whatever happened to that 300 seat exception they were looking for a while ago? It would have been nice for them to do that and then this one could have gone to the Chief Oshkosh place.

    I think its cool that people want to bring back historic Oshkosh.

    Look at how the current owner is fixing up Witzkes Bar on 17th and Oregon. Thats a real historic place too.

    I think another historic tavern with old Oshkosh stuff would be a big draw in Oshkosh. After all thats what everybody wanted after the movie shoot and other than this place I see nothing else being done about it.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 24, 2008 12:31 PM  

  • I agree with the other writer about Mr. Palmeri's behavior. Here's a man who second guesses much of the information given by city staff yet suddenly won't make a decision without their input. Go figure. The absolute correct decision was made Tuesday night by those councilors who voted in the affirmative, with Palmeri voting no just for the sake of voting no, something we've seen with others on the council and school board. He acted like a stubborn child whose message was one of "If you won't play by my rules I'll take my ball and go home." Kudos to the others for ignoring such petulance and staying the course.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 24, 2008 3:27 PM  

  • This one would NOT have gone to the Esslinger establishment, 12:31. Why in the world would you think that? It was clear the council was nowhere near as interested in his proposal like they were the others. If it hadn't have gone to Sweetwater it would have gone to Carlson and McKnight.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 24, 2008 10:56 PM  

  • Lots of Esslinger bashers on this Blog. I think they all should go back to the darkside (EEOO)

    I really like the Chief Oshkosh theme. Hope that works out someday.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 25, 2008 12:28 PM  

  • How childish of the esslinger supporters to think they can say anything they want about anyone else and give undying support to pompous paul and all his puffery, but no one dare be critical of a man who couldn't articulate with any depth about his dream saloon. To be critical of him is considered bashing. Give us a break you crybaby. It's not hard to imagine if it was someone else's plan and esslinger was reviewing it for a liquor license how critical he'd be, but because he's paul everyone should bow down and kiss you know what. No way. His plan lacked luster, he said little about it, and others were much better prepared with better plans. Now go grab a pacifier or put a little booze in your bottle and chill out. With any luck you'll sleep it off until the next license rolls around. Maybe next time he'll come with the same kind of preparation he'd expect everyone else to.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 25, 2008 6:34 PM  

  • The dark "side's" pulling in a lot of money at the box office. More than the old chief would.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 25, 2008 8:16 PM  

  • 12:31 said "I think another historic tavern with old Oshkosh stuff would be a big draw in Oshkosh. After all thats what everybody wanted after the movie shoot and other than this place I see nothing else being done about it."

    I didn't hear anyone saying they wanted a historic tavern with old Oshkosh stuff. I heard people saying they'd like to see downtown restored to something like it used to be. Those are 2 different things. We also have to get the riverfront going. The Boat Yard will do that and it isn't that far from downtown either. As for their no longer going for 300 seats, maybe they realized that might be hard to attain so they went with something more realistic. Smart move, or have we learned nothing from the Five Rivers pipe dream fiasco? Good choice city council. The right concept got the license.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at July 28, 2008 11:17 AM  

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