By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
The decision to award Bad Brad’s BBQ the last class c liquor license of Orion Township was straightforward for most trustees at the board meeting last week, everyone except Neil Porter.
‘Was this advertised? That needs to be done. This cannot be done in a backdoor arrangement,? he said, as the lone dissenting vote.
Trustees reviewed two applicants, Chipotle Mexican Grill of Colorado, and City Smoke Lake Orion LLC, otherwise known as Bad Brad’s BBQ, before awarding the BBQ joint the right to spirits, wine and beer. Both businesses are under construction on Baldwin Rd.
‘I don’t like the term ‘backdoor deal.? We have two good applicants here tonight, and we’ve had other people reaching out to us in the last few years,? Barnett said. ‘We’ve never advertised these, if this is something we want to do because we’re going to have a census in a few years then we should probably adopt a policy.?
Orion received an additional two Class C liquor licenses from the state in 2010 after the census reported an increase in population to the area. One of those licenses was granted to Pizzarific, which has since closed, and the other was stowed in escrow for Larry Mullin’s restaurant planned at the same location Bad Brad’s is going now.
Mullins, of LRM Associates LLC and owner of Environmental Wood Solutions, is the current property owner and developer, and was given until July of this year to build and occupy the restaurant. Because the restaurant was not open by July, the license went back on the market.
A purchase agreement from LRM Associates to City Smoke Lake Orion LLC is pending.
To Barnett, the decision was based on potential economic development.
Trustee Mike Flood’s decision was based on the fact that Bad Brad’s would fully utilize the license.
The BBQ restaurant will offer liquor, beer and wine, whereas Chipotle would sell beer and margaritas.
Chipotle area manager Brian Walsom said of the 21 Chipotles in Michigan, only two locations have a liquor license.
‘If we sell two cases of beer a week it’s a pretty good week,? he said.
He also said if Chipotle didn’t get the license that wouldn’t change the amount of new hires for the business, which would be about 35.
This will be the third location of Bad Brad’s BBQ in Michigan, with the other two in Shelby Township and New Baltimore. Seating inside will hold about 165 patrons, and an outdoor patio will house about 60.
Bad Brad’s BBQ will employ about 125 employees, according to Kelly Allen of Adkison, Need & Allen, P.L.L.C., the restaurants? liquor lawyer representing owners Brad Teagon and Tony Grenat.
They just acquired two more two more pieces of property for parking, bringing the total parking spaces to 145 spots on site.
Both applicants paid an un-returnable application fee of $1,000 for the license, which was free.
In Oakland County, to purchase a liquor license can cost anywhere between $55,000 to $60,000, Allen said, adding they ‘are getting harder and harder to find.?
Porter also requested trustees put restrictions on the license, and trustees added a condition to Bad Brad’s license to include a non-transfer clause for three years, contingent upon the review and approval of the township attorney.
Bad Brad’s, known for its homemade BBQ sauces and craft beer, is expected to open in January or February.
With almost $2 million invested into the community, Allen assured trustees the restaurant is here to stay.