The Tiki Shack bar on State Street may see transformations in the future to become a full service restaurant and bar after two new potential owners received a liquor license from the Alcohol License Review Committee Wednesday.
The island-themed bar on 128 State Street will most likely see new ownership by Nov. 18 after the current owner, Joe Vale, offered to sell the bar to Tiki Shack managers, Joe Percevecz and Daniel Mijal. Percevecz and Mijal plan to open the establishment as a restaurant between noon and 2 a.m., offering brunch, lunch and dinner.
ALRC members were hesitant to grant the applicants a license after Vale received multiple convictions regarding an intoxicated employee and serving alcohol to underage patrons. Convictions add demerit points to an alcohol license that could lead to license suspension or revocation depending on the terms.
“I have concerns based on how business has obviously been run even during the time [Percevecz and Mijal] have been managers,” ALRC member Michael Donnelly said. “We had a problem, we have to be convinced that there will not continue to be a problem.”
Despite the incidents that occurred in the past, Percevecz and Mijal have brought about positive changes under their management of the bar, including fewer convictions and fights.
“I think one factor why they received unanimous approval tonight was because of the improvement that we’ve all noticed in the last year,” Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said. “The police, like I, would not have been in support tonight if it was the case that things hadn’t improved in the last year there.”
Percevecz and Mijal said they plan to improve the business’s policy with better staff training, which they claim Vale does not regulate. The managers also have a chef willing to work under new ownership with an improved menu offering island-themed cuisine.
ALRC members deferred disciplinary actions against Vale for demerit points that accumulated on his license from past convictions until the next meeting. Verveer said if the sale of the bar falls through, ALRC members do not want Vale’s demerit points to “fall by the wayside” should he decide to continue operations.
