Although Coscarelli’s Restaurant & Lounge is in jeopardy of having its liquor license revoked by the Lansing City Council, officials at the Lansing Police Department said Tuesday they’re “optimistic” it won’t be revoked.
Revoking prevents the restaurant from regaining permits. Coscarelli’s, 2420 S. Cedar St., has had 12 liquor law violations in the past year and Lansing police were called to the restaurant 96 times.
Lansing police Lt. Ray Hall said there have been numerous violations, including fights in the parking lot, loud noise and serving minors.
The Liquor Control Commission pulled Coscarelli’s license so the restaurant was unable to sell liquor for a short time. But, the restaurant continued to serve during its violation period, Hall said.
However, Hall said the department has seen positive changes from the restaurant and is optimistic its license won’t be revoked.
“We remain optimistic these issues will be resolved because the owner has taken positive steps,” Hall said. “We want their business to be successful. We want to work with them and not run them out.”
The city council has not made a decision as to whether it will hold a public nuisance hearing for Coscarelli’s, said Larry Meyer, the council’s vice president. If the council does hold a hearing, it will be within the next 30 days.
“The information was brought to our attention about the violations at Coscarelli’s and there was sufficient reason to move the issue to the Committee of the Whole to possibly hold a public hearing,” Meyer said.
George Coscarelli, the restaurant’s owner, told council members at Monday’s city council meeting that a hearing is not necessary because the restaurant has made positive steps to prevent liquor violations and police calls in the future. Some of these changes include prohibiting dancing, hiring more security and closing earlier, he said.
“I’ve held a license here for 40 years. I’ve had a few violations I’m not proud of, I can’t deny that we are responsible,” Coscarelli said.
He said business has dropped 50 percent because of the attention by the media.
