Politics & Government

UPDATE: Bar or Books? Royal Oak Officials to Discuss Future of Barnes & Noble Site

The Royal Oak City Commission will review an application to transfer the former Fiddlehead Restaurant and Bar liquor license to 500 S. Main St.

UPDATE: Details of a Royal Oak Police Department report regarding the request to transfer ownership of a Class C liquor license from Fiddleheads Restaurant to 500 S. Main Street (Barnes & Noble) are now available through the city's website.

Highlights of the Royal Oak Police Department report include:

  • the purchase price for the Class C license is $250,000 
  • the request is to transfer the license to SV One, Inc., which is owned by Michael Sassine (80 percent), Henry Sassine (10 percent) and Robert Sassine (10 percent)
  • SV One plans to do business as SV Italian Eatery and further requests to add a catering permit, dance permit, one additional bar permit and an outdoor eating permit
  • an investment of $600,000 is planned for fixtures and equipment
  • escalators will be removed and the first and second floors will be separated to allow the second level to be converted into office space
  • the applicants expect the renovations to take at least one year to complete
  • the Sassines own and operate 29 Park in Windsor, Ontario and 29 Park restaurant in Novi
  • the SV Italian Eatery will seat 326 patrons (270 seats indoors and 56 outdoor seats)
  • St. Paul Lutheran Church was notified of the transfer and did not file an objection

The Police Department is opposing the transfer, according to the report.

Find out what's happening in Royal Oakwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The area is already congested with three large establishments with similar formats, BlackFinn (capacity 392 patrons), 526/Tequila Blue (capacity 310 patrons) and Bastone (capacity 422 patrons). So many large venues in close proximity will likely cause a significant strain to police resources," states the police report.

The report also shows the applicants have a history of "being unable to properly control the activity at their establishments."

Find out what's happening in Royal Oakwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Novi Police Department reported 113 calls for service at 29 Park (43155 Main St, Novi) since it opened in 2010 and the establishment is only open 10 hours per week - Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

A representative from Barnes & Noble said "unfortunately" the book store is unable to comment on this matter.

11 a.m.: Royal Oak City Commissioners will consider recommendations from the Royal Oak Police Department regarding plans for new downtown night club when it meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

Notices have gone out for a public hearing to discuss a Class C License transfer from the former Fiddlehead Restaurant and Bar, located at 4313 W. 13 Mile Rd., to 500 S. Main St., which is presently the home of Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

"The concept is a 270-seat Italian restaurant and night club on the first floor and office space on the second floor," said Royal Oak Police Chief Corrigan O'Donohue. 

The chief added the Police Department is opposing the transfer. O'Donohue's reasons will be detailed in a memo to City Attorney David Gillam, which is expected to be available to the public before the commission meets on Monday.

Should the commission deny the liquor license transfer, it is not known if Barnes & Noble will remain in Royal Oak.

"That is between the book store and their landlord," O'Donohue said.


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