Downtown establishments T. Sushi and Essen Haus faced concerns from a city alcohol policy committee Wednesday after they requested approval to alter their restaurants.
After the city attorney contacted the Alcohol License Review Committee about ownership problems at T. Sushi, the ALRC made several unsuccessful attempts to meet with the owner on the lease, Teddy Stevens.
An independent consultant working for T. Sushi, Jason Richardson, said at the meeting he is working with an attorney to transfer ownership of the restaurant.
According to Richardson, the restaurant is undergoing renovations and the updated establishment could open as early as March 8.
“We are planning on changing the concept of the restaurant and changing the look of the restaurant,” Richardson said.
But Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said Richardson cannot reopen the restaurant unless the city grants him a new liquor license.
“The bottom line is, there’s great confusion, it seems to me, about the future of T. Sushi,” Verveer said.
Food and Alcohol Policy Coordinator Mark Woulf said if someone is to take over T. Sushi, the next step would be applying for the proper permits to reopen.
Additionally, the ALRC voted to allow Essen Haus to move forward with its plan to add a temporary outdoor volleyball court despite certain members’ concerns about the effect on the surrounding neighborhood.
“The biggest concern is not necessarily the consumption of alcohol outside so much, it’s the impact on the neighbors with noise and light and that sort of thing,” Woulf said.
