Bloomfield Township Still Undecided Over Maple Theater Liquor License
The Board of Trustees tabled a decision on whether to allow beer and wine sales at the landmark theater until later this month.
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Patrons of the Maple Theater will have to wait just a little longer to learn whether they can sip on a glass of wine or a frothy Michigan brew while enjoying their movies.
The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees on Monday decided to table an application for a Class C liquor license at the theater, known for its artistic and independent films. The decision came just two weeks after the board voted to allow a zoning variance for the property just west of Telegraph Road that would make a liquor license possible.
Township Treasurer Dan Devine raised concerns at that time about an outdated township liquor-license policy, and said some remained Monday. He commended the board for taking a deliberate look and trying to establish a contract that has standards in place with the applicant before the matter is considered again on June 25.
Though there is nothing specific he or others said they see as a barrier to granting the license, Devine said that the board sought some clearer understanding of what kind of alcohol will be served and how.
"Hopefully, we'll have something hammered out by then because a verbal agreement doesn't cut it," Devine said. "It's easier to enforce if it's in a contract, so that even if things change, you've got some teeth."
Both Devine and Supervisor Leo Savoie said the township is making progress on updating a liquor-license policy as 11 total remain available within the township borders. Three other applications are pending, including one for the proposed Bagger Dave's Burger Tavern in the Bloomfield Plaza.
What's the Plan?
Under the new ownership of Bloomfield Township resident Jon Goldstein, the theater is set for a major renovation that should begin late next month. The theaters will be expanded and have state-of-the-art screens and systems, however, seating will decrease from 900 to 700 among the three theaters.
That benefits the customer by allowing room for larger, more comfortable seats, Goldstein said. And the front entrance will now be closer to the parking lot, reducing a typically long walk from behind the theater.
The liquor license is an innovation that can enhance the moviegoing experience for customers with an average age of 65, not exactly an audience that craves candy and soda, Goldstein said. He intends to sell wine and Michigan-made micro-brews from a improved concessions area with seating, but it will not have a bar feel. Well drinks will not be served, but premium liquors will be available.
Goldstein told township officials that beer and wine sales are traditionally about 80 percent of their alcohol sales, with premium liquors comprising the final 20 percent. It will help drive profits, but is not as significant a part of the new theater's business plan as a cafe, revamped theaters, and continued commitment to the films that have made the Maple a special place for nearly four decades.
"The Maple is the anomaly," Goldstein told the board. "It's one of those places that just kept working no matter what it is, but to last another 37, years it needs to change with the times."
Goldstein has experience operating movie theaters with liqour licenses in Rochester Hills, Wyandotte and Pennsylvania. The Bloomfield Township Police Department recommended issuing the license after their background investigation found no significant problems. According to their report, in the other theaters, Goldstein put all employees through extensive alcohol management training whether they are an alcohol server or not.
The businesses use a wristband system and if a customer wishes to purchase alcohol, he or she is checked through a computer before a wristband is issued. The wristband then allows them to purchase two drinks, and is "notched" with each alcohol purchase. The wristband is made of a fluorescent material that is visible in the dark.
In This article
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The Maple Theater
4135 W Maple Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI -
Bloomfield Township
4200 Telegraph Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI -
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Bloomfield Township Police Department
4200 Telegraph Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI
A concerned citizen
8:36 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
A nice way of ruining the experience of others who do not drink. I do not want somebody sitting next to me, a total stranger, who is sipping alcohol. They may have had few shots before coming to the theater. An excellent way of bringing under age children to watch movies and have older kids buy drinks for them. Another headache for the police dealing with what comes next in such situations.
Leave our quiet Bloomfield alone. A nice theater with nice movies is good enough reason to visit. Have gourmet food vendors from across town restaurants on rotation basis to spread the wealth around.
akram yunas
3:34 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Totally off!
Leave our quite bllomfield alone? have you raed the crime blog lately? Older kids buy drinks for under age kids... what a joke. Ask a teenager how difficult is it to buy liquor these days. foget liquor, want a joint, cocaine, upper, downers, priscription drugs, anything mom and dad are on.... NO PROBLEM.
A you forsee the Maple Theatre to become a junkie heaven where 95% of the moviegoers are retired, senior citizens, and responsible adults.
Jeff Selik
9:35 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Attn "concerned citizen"--or should I say "intrusive citizen".
Your comments have so many holes in your logic. First off, that same person can take the shots before they come to movie theater now, so what's the difference? That person sitting next to you sipping alcohol is not bothering you or doing anything to impede your enjoyment of the movie, so leave them alone and mind your own business!
Secondly, this is an art film theater. This is not going to be a type of theater to attract children or teenagers because the movie content is not typically of interest to them.
Plus, we already had movie theaters in Metro Detroit that are already serving alcohol to their patrons, and they haven't even gone to the extent that this theater will be with the bracelets to secure that only people of the correct age are drinking as well as monitoring the quantity consumed with the notches on the bracelets..
Stop forcing your beliefs onto other people and let other people decide what's right for themselves!
Ann
9:52 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Thanks to the Goldsteins for turning The Maple Theater into a revitalized community gathering place. Preserving an art theater in Bloomfield brings culture to a community with few cultural institutions. The renovation is going to make it a great place to meet all day, and I'm looking forward to seeing it.
By all accounts, they have their very limited alcohol policy well in hand, in a way that will make The Maple an attractive night out. Bloomfield needs more venues like this one.
akram yunas
1:07 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Come on Folks. Have you ever been to the Maple Theatre? the average age of a moviegoer there is well, lets say with people who have grand children. I doubt that they will be rolling around in the aisles drun or puliing knves on each other during a movie with sub titles.
lets grow up and act civilized... the world over a movie with a glass of wine is a perfect way to relax. BTW, the 15-21 year olds have plenty of access to booze and do not have to sneak in to the Maple to get a beer.
Marcia Robovitsky
3:37 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
The problem is the liquor license is for a TICKET holder or a PATRON, but the business plan is to serve anyone who walks into the lobby. Must the patron buy a ticket? The business plan includes an outdoor patio area, a coffee bar, a concession stand that includes???? and a class C liquor license. The owners claim the art theater format, but when quizzed, children's movies may be shown on Sat./Sun. mornings or "other" movies may be shown. It appears on the surface that this is going to be more than a CINEMA. The hours of operation were granted as noon to midnight. But earlier hours have been mentioned. What really is being proposed at the Maple Theater? The township rightly needs to know BEFORE granting a liquor license. In my opinion, the rush to get projects going without much public vetting/noticing of meetings....is an ongoing problem with the township leadership. The lease holders of the Maple Theater, need to decide....is this a movie theater with alcohol during the show?......or an open hours CAFE with food and beverages and sometimes showing films? What is it? The surrounding businesses that serve food and alcohol should be aware of what is being proposed. If it is a "cafe" with popcorn, etc. and alcohol...deny the permit. If it is a cinema with all concession stands open ONLY during movie show times...then ok the Cinema Liquor License Permit.
See the June 11 meeting video: http://www.bloomfieldtwp.org/Services/cable/Videos/BoardOfTrusteeMeetings.htm