Troy

New Mediterranean restaurant on Rochester gets quota liquor license

By Terry Oparka
C & G Staff Writer

A restaurateur will expand in vacant space at Big Beaver and Rochester after the Troy City Council awarded one of two remaining quota Class C liquor licenses to 2Booli, which will serve Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.

John Carlin, attorney for the Ansara Group, said the group has an excellent business record and also owns and operates a Red Robin Gourmet Burgers restaurant at Corporate Drive in Troy, in addition to 19 other Red Robin restaurants in Michigan and a 2Booli in Farmington Hills. He said 2Booli would be a Mediterranean concept offering Greek and Middle Eastern food.

He said the Ansara family has been in the restaurant business since ’61.

Renovation work in the vacant space in the end cap at the southwest corner of Big Beaver and Rochester has begun, and the group hopes to have its newest spot open in April. The restaurant will have seating for 150, which includes outdoor seating.

The Troy Liquor Advisory Committee unanimously recommended approval for the Class C license. Troy police also recommended approval following a routine background investigation.

The city of Troy has one quota Class C liquor license left to issue, according to Assistant City Attorney Susan Lancaster. Quota liquor licenses are issued to municipalities based on population, and the city of Troy gained an additional quota license based on the U.S. census population count for 2010. City ordinance allows officials to consider future development opportunities in decisions to issue the Class C liquor licenses.

Troy gained 23 residents, boosting population to 80,980, and has the largest number of residents of all cities in Oakland County. Prior to that, the city of Farmington had held the top Oakland County spot.

The city had one unissued quota Class C liquor license before that, which the City Council had approved for liquor service during catered special events held at the Troy Community Center. However, the caterer, Encore Catering, owned and operated by Peter and Paul Andoni, principal owners of the Shield’s Restaurant, Bar and Pizzeria restaurants and franchise, was able to obtain a catering license that included liquor service, thus opening up one available Class C liquor license.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Terry Oparka at toparka@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1054.