Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Thursday

February 16, 2012

Garfield Twp. awards liquor licenses

Opa! Coney and Grill, Flap Jack Shack now can serve alcohol

TRAVERSE CITY — It's happy hour for two Garfield Township restaurants.

Township trustees voted Tuesday to recommend that the Flap Jack Shack and Opa! Coney and Grill both receive liquor licenses from the state liquor commission.

Four restaurants applied for the two open licenses. Also in the mix were Loco Burrito Authentic Mexican Grill & Bar, a restaurant chain set to open near the Grand Traverse Mall; and Spaghetti Jim's, a wholesale pasta maker with a small South Airport Road market and cafe.

Township clerk and trustee Kay Schumacher said economic impact, location and business history led to the board members' decision.

"We were looking for the number of jobs created, and we were looking for past history — how long they've been in business," she said. "

A township committee reviewed the four applications and forwarded its analysis to the board. They determined that, based on information provided by applicants, Flap Jack could add as many as 22 jobs with a liquor license, and Opa could add two to three full-time positions.

The board will forward its recommendations to the liquor commission, which is expected to award the licenses to the restaurants in about 90 days.

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