Sumpter tables Zino’s Class C Liquor license for Italian restaurant

Zino’s, at the corner of Bemis and Sumpter roads, is planning to become a sit-down, Italian restaurant and Sumpter Township is considering helping it with a Class C Liquor License.
After discussion, the board tabled action until the Nov. 26 meeting when Zino’s attorney could be present.
At the Sumpter Township Board’s Nov. 12 meeting, township attorney Rob Young, who is going in for open-heart surgery soon, explained the procedure.
He had expected the attorney for Zino’s to be present at the Nov. 12 meeting, but he did not show up.
Young said Sumpter has had this liquor license for two census counts and this business is the only one to apply.
Young said Zino’s has to pay $1,000 to the state Liquor Control Commission to transfer the license, but there is no restriction on how long he has to keep it before he sells it to somebody else.
Under state law the township can’t put restrictions on it, Young said. The decision on whether to grant it to Zino’s is completely up to the township board.
Young said Zino’s attorney said they were planning to have two employees, 18 seats inside the building and two seats outside along Sumpter Road.
Young said if the applicant was denied, he would have to go into the open market and purchase such a license.
“I have not checked into what, if any, such licenses are available at this time,” Young wrote in a memo to the board. “I do know, however, that the price for such a license has increased over the past couple of years given the new developments and the strength of the economy.”
Trustee Don LaPorte suggested they have Zino’s go to the planning commission to put a better front on the building. Young said Zino’s was in full compliance with ordinance rules.
Jay Bardell asked about the liquor license Zino’s already has and Young said it was a cash and carry liquor license.