THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 13, 1995 TAG: 9501110114
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: E10A EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATRICIA HUANG, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
John McQuillan wanted to return to the South Norfolk neighborhood where he grew up, to offer something back to the community as operator of a new restaurant and bar called Smokin' Joe's.
But setting up shop last fall wasn't easy.
Until recently, the restaurateur faced opposition from the South Norfolk Revitalization Commission and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, which prevented him from receiving a license to sell alcoholic beverages.
The business, which opened last November, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers pool tables and a dance floor for entertain-ment.
``It's just a working guy's place. A place where a working guy can come in and not have to spend a lot of money,'' McQuillan said, adding that the restaurant is family-style.
But before Christmas, not even a working man could come in at the end of a day to gulp down a cold beer.
The trouble began for the Bainbridge Boulevard business when Pauline Dennis, president of the South Norfolk Revitalization Commission, raised objections to its ABC license application in November.
There were rumors that the new place would be a go-go bar, he said.
``I care about this community. I grew up here. I wouldn't do anything to hurt it,'' McQuillan said. ``I'm going to generate a lot of revenue for the city. I'm going to put at least 60 people to work. . . . and a guy can come in and have a good, hot lunch for $4.95.''
But Dennis, he said, wrote a letter with a city letterhead to the ABC Commission, saying that she spoke for the rest of the commission in opposition to the liquor license.
McQuillan's restaurant finally obtained a beer license on Dec. 23 and expects to receive a liquor license in February. Now bands are lined up for weekend entertainment, and disc jockeys for weekday nights.
Dennis refused to elaborate on the reasons for the opposition.
``It's a done deal, pure and simple. They got their ABC license,'' said Dennis, who, along with Commissioner John W. Chappell, voted against Smokin' Joe's ABC license. ``As chairman of the commission, I am not going to give any information on the Revitalization Commission.''
Some commission members said they would like to see more such businesses come to South Norfolk.
``I talked to a lot of the neighbors, residents and businesses and no one opposed (McQuillan) getting an ABC license,'' said Anne Tregembo, one of the commission's 11 members. ``We had been misinformed, so the commission was initially opposed to Mr. McQuillan. . . . but we met and we discussed it and voted 6 to 2 in favor of recommending he get his license.''
``Mrs. Dennis is opposed to anyone getting an ABC license, but you can't try to attract business in and tell them that they can't have a liquor license. We all agreed that restaurants need these licenses. We want to attract good business,'' Tregembo said. by CNB