| Chris Mazza
cmaza@thereminder.com
Category:
SPRINGFIELD — Ownership of an adult entertainment business in Springfield was recently transferred with approval from the city’s licensing board.
Longtime strip club owners James and Helen Santaniello have sold their interest in Beano, Inc., the corporation that operated the City Stage strip club at 265-271 Dwight Street, to the Board of Commissioners. approved the move at its Aug. 23 meeting. James and Helen Santaniello were the owners of the Mardi Gras Gentlemen’s Club at Center Stage and 350 Worthington Street until it closed earlier this year. Records from the Secretary of State’s Office show that Beano was officially run by Helen Santaniello.
The Santaniellos sold the Worthington Street property in March for $2.3 million through BSC Realty, owned by James Santaniello. Mardi Gras then closed in April, along with City Stage. The X-Room, an adult entertainment venue for men that previously occupied part of the Mardi Gras building, has been operating since May at Center Stage on Dwight Street.
X-Room manager Samuel Velasquez purchased Beano stock from Helen Santaniello and her partner Richard Allen, offering a purchase price of $200,000. The liquor license was previously transferred.
X-Room advertises itself as “New England’s only male nude strip club.” Commissioner Peter Signator noted that the company would need to keep the Center Stage name even after the transfer is approved. Velasquez said the store’s name will eventually change, but the signage currently remains “X Room at Center Stage.” When Signator asked city officials if he had submitted his business certificate, Velasquez said he had.
According to city records, the Dwight Street building is still owned by the Santaniello family through BSC Realty, a corporation registered by Helen Santaniello in May to own 265-271 Dwight Street. I took over this property through a written transaction from the company at the address.
The commission also approved changing the closing time of Mojito’s Bar and Restaurant, located at 497 Belmont Avenue (in the building commonly known as the former Typical Sicilian), from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Attorney Dan Kelly, speaking on behalf of petitioner owner Paul Ramish, told the committee that the restaurant is “struggling” with its current business serving lunch and dinner. The restaurant was initially open until midnight, but was approved to close at 1 a.m. “a while ago,” he said, but regularly stays open until 1 a.m. only on Wednesdays and some Fridays. . Mr. Ramish disputed this, saying the restaurant was always open until 1 a.m., and Mr. Kelly acknowledged that he was not a lawyer when it first opened.
The change to 2 a.m. closing was requested in response to restaurant managers and owners who noted a recent trend of second-shift and hospitality workers creating late-night crowds. The plan was to keep the kitchen open during the extra hours.
“This is not a nightclub. It’s a restaurant, but most people these days prefer to sit at the bar,” Kelly said.
Kelly said he doesn’t recall any violations in the two years he’s represented the property. Springfield Police Officer Barry Delmarter said he has not received any calls or violations and has received one disturbance call in the past six months. In that incident, the manager called police after being hit by the car of a disgruntled customer who refused to pay, Delmarter said.
In response to questioning, Ramish said he had not contacted the Forest Park Civic Association for its opinion and claimed that he had not received any support from the group.
Forest Park Civic Association president Beate Bollen told the committee that the last request to change the restaurant’s opening hours was strongly opposed “for various reasons on record.”
She added that the civic group was not prepared to comment formally because it was not aware that the request would be on the agenda and had not had a chance to discuss it with its members.
“I know the last time I voted against it, but I don’t see a good reason to support it this time,” Bolen said. “Rather than me making a direct statement on behalf of the association, I would like to carefully consider the matter and take a well-considered response.”
When Commissioner Paul Signator asked if he was willing to meet with the association, Mr. Ramish was reluctant, arguing that they should “support the businesses they so much want to control.” period. There’s nothing else to say. ”
Bolen disputed Ramish’s accusation that the association had been uncooperative, noting that the group had 250 members. “Do you know all of us?” she asked Ramish rhetorically, later stating that she was the patron of this institution.
Chairperson Rosa Espinosa pointed out that there was no need for Mr. Ramish to meet with civil society groups. Mr. Signator acknowledged that she was a member of the association and said she would continue for two weeks to allow Mr. Ramish to meet with the association, but Mr. Ramish responded: [to the restaurant], which one. “
Commissioner Andrew Cade said the commission has allowed other businesses to extend their business hours in phases, and also for Ramish because there was no violation of the 1 a.m. closing time. He stated that he intends to take such measures.
The committee approved the extension, with Sygnator casting the lone dissenting vote.
The commission also announced that Key and Eli’s Food for the Soul on Sumner Avenue would be open one Friday a month from its normal closing time of 8 p.m. to midnight to host special events. It was also approved to extend the period. Although this establishment did not serve alcohol, the owners attempted to allow patrons to bring their own drinks during these events. Key and Eli’s owner, Melvin Lockett, requested that business hours be extended to 4 a.m., but the commission balked at the request.
Signator explained that business owner Melvin Lockett was interviewed after the business held such an event without a permit in late July and after police noticed unusual behavior at the restaurant. I admitted that. Lockett admitted he was not aware that a permit was required for the event, but stressed there was adequate security and the restaurant provided a safe environment for guests and neighbors. He said he visited neighbors with the petition in advance of the meeting to ask for their support and presented the document to the commission before the public hearing.
City Councilor Tracy Whitfield spoke at the meeting and said she attended the July event by staying until 3:30 a.m. and said the event ran without incident. Bolen expressed concern that the Forest Park Citizens Association was not informed of the event and the “extreme” times. Lockett said he would be happy to discuss this with the association.
Cade reiterated previous statements about gradual increases in hours, saying the large increase from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. was well beyond the commission’s normal practice. He said closing at midnight is still unconventional, but is preferable. The signatories agreed that the request was beyond normal procedure.
Mr. Whitfield asked for clarification on whether it was a written guideline or just normal procedure, and Mr. Signator said he did not believe it was a written guideline. When Lockett suggested that the commissioners could go against custom and approve the application if they wanted, he said, “That’s possible, but 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. in a residential area is a huge leap forward in my opinion.” I think that’s true,” he said.
After the vote, Mr. Lockett pointed out that Mr. Bolo Chino had approved earlier in the meeting and asked if a 2 a.m. closing time was possible. “It’s literally a few blocks away,” he claimed. Espinosa explained that the 12 a.m. approval will be in effect for six months, at which point the commission will review it and possibly extend the hours further. Attorney Maurice Powe said Lockett could restart the licensing process if the board had “good cause” to reconsider the vote.
The commission noted that in addition to extending business hours, Mr. Lockett would be required to apply for an entertainment license through the mayor’s office and a BOYB license through the commission.
Lockett said he submitted an application for a BYOB license the day before the meeting, but Pauw said the board was not prepared to act on it. As a result, you will not be allowed to drink alcohol until that application is carried out.
