Troubled bar and grill requests new liquor license

Elyria City Council’s Community Development Committee voted July 30 to conduct a hearing on the request of a new liquor license for T&A Bar and Grill in Elyria.

The bar and grill located at 801 Foster Ave. lost its liquor license in December 2016, authorities said.

Elyria law director Scott Serazin said there were 98 calls reported to the Police Department in 18 months.

These calls included 34 for disturbances, 12 for assaults, five for shots fired and a murder, Serazin said.

T&A closed after losing its license, he said.

Tony and Angela Carter, owners of T&A, approached the committee July 30 and requested another D-5 liquor license in exchange of making changes in how they will operate the business.

The Carters have owned T&A for the last 10 years.

Council members said Elyria police Chief Duane Whitely suggested the request should be treated with a hearing to discuss why T&A should reopen.

Whitley did not attend the committee meeting.

Angela Carter addressed the committee and apologized for what has happened in the past at the establishment.

She said she and her husband are in the process of making changes such as a new name, remodeling the inside, an updated surveillance system, offering more foods on the menu and changing the hours to become a more family-friendly place.

Angela Carter said they will take out the pool table, change their hours from 3 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. to 3-10 p.m., play non explicit music and add a pizza oven to the kitchen.

She said they only will sell beer and wine, including selected liquor, which could help create a better atmosphere.

“We are going to change the name because we do not want to be affiliated with the T&A and everything that has happened,” Angela Carter said.

The Carters want a liquor license for customers who want a glass of wine or beer with their wings or pizza, she said.

Angela Carter said she went through the neighborhood and received signatures from residents who support the changes.

“We definitely did not want the past to happen and are willing to do anything to change anything,” she said. “There aren’t really that many places to eat on the west side of Elyria that is family-friendly and has good food. That is our goal; that is definitely our goal.”

Ward 6 Councilwoman Donna Mitchell, who lives on the west side, agreed there aren’t many places to eat in the area.

However, Mitchell said she doesn’t want to see a repeat of the problems T&A had in the past.

Angela Carter said they are taking steps to enhance the safety of their property.

“We tried our hardest the last two years, and things didn’t work out that way,” she said. “We’re just here and we learned a lot (in that time). We’re just here (to request) to make our community better.”

Councilman at-Large Tom Callahan said he acknowledges the owners want to make a change for the good of the community.

However, Callahan said he has to respect the opinion of Whitely by requesting a hearing.

“It’s a fair hearing where both sides will have that opportunity (to state their case),” he said.

Serazin said if the T&A property receives another D-5 liquor license, the business could go back to where it once was.

A D-5 liquor license includes the opportunity for an establishment to carry hard liquor, he said.

Serazin suggested the owners request a D-1, which allows beer and wine.

He said the city has spent an enormous amount of time on T&A’s case and Council wants to hear what the parties have to say about the new proposed business model.

The city has to request a hearing from the Ohio Liquor Control Board to find a date to discuss T&A’s request.

“We definitely did not want the past to happen and are willing to do anything to change anything. There aren’t really that many places to eat on the west side of Elyria that is familyfriendly and has good food. That is our goal; that is definitely our goal.”

— Angela Carter, co-owner of T&A Bar and Grill