By C.J. Carnacchio
Leader Editor
Oxford’s newest restaurant is one step closer to opening its doors thanks to the township.
Last week, township officials voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the proposed transfer of an escrowed Class C liquor license (with dance/entertainment permit) from Oxford Bank to Chardonnay.
Chardonnay is a soon-to-open restaurant located at 595 N. Lapeer Rd. and owned by Sterling Heights resident Andy Stamevski.
‘He has every intention of being successful,? said Joseph Langlois, the Warren-based attorney representing the 54-year-old Stamevski. ‘I have no doubt he’ll be successful and be a very positive attribute to the community.?
Final approval of the license transfer is up to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.
Stamevski purchased the restaurant building from Oxford Bank for $875,000. From 2000-08, it housed the now-defunct Kalloway’s Restaurant and Pub.
‘In addition to the loan he received from Oxford Bank, he’s putting between probably $250,000 to $300,000 of his own money in this venture,? Langlois noted.
The attorney indicated the building ‘is being remodeled right now.?
‘Nothing substantial, mainly cosmetics,? he told officials. ‘The goal is to open up sometime in March, maybe mid-March, maybe realistically at the end of March, if everything goes well.?
Stamevski plans to offer family dining on the main floor, use the lower floor for entertainment such as karaoke and dancing, and create a ‘lounge-type atmosphere? on the upper floor. When the weather’s warmer, he plans to utilize the outdoor seating area.
Entrees will range in price from $8-15 and the restaurant would open at 6 a.m. to serve breakfast, according to Langlois.
‘If you ever get to try his bakery goods, they’re excellent,? noted the attorney, referring to the Russo Bakery, a wholesale operation that Stamevski owns in Clinton Twp.
Treasurer Joe Ferrari’s main concern was that should Stamevski ever decide he no longer needs or wants to serve alcohol, or even sells the business, the liquor license remains in the township.
‘When Italia Gardens came in, they had to get a fresh license from us because the old owner sold that one to Novi Fondue,? he explained. ‘We lost a liquor license in our community.?
Based on the 2000 U.S. Census, the liquor license quota for the township is eight and there are currently eight licenses held in the community, which leaves no available licenses for anyone in the future who wishes to open a bar or restaurant.
Given this, the township voted 6-0 to approve an agreement between the municipality and Stamevski, which basically states the liquor license will stay in the township.
However, Supervisor Bill Dunn noted he doesn’t believe it’s enforceable.
‘Isn’t this basically a deal between the township and the owner? It’s probably not binding. I don’t know,? he said. ‘I think it’s just an understanding between us and the owner that we would like to keep it here, period.?
Ferrari indicated that technically, under state law, liquor licenses can be transferred anywhere in the county. The agreement is merely stating, for the record, that the preference is to keep Chardonnay’s license here.
Langlois indicated neither he nor his client have any issues with the agreement and they understand the township’s position.
‘It’s not a problem with us,? he said. ‘I certainly understand where the township’s coming from. As far as we’re concerned, we’re agreeable to that.?
?(Stamevski) has no intention of walking away from this business or selling the license,? Langlois noted. ‘I think if he were to ever sell at some point in time, it would be at that location and the license would stay there.