Last spring we chronicled the problems that arise in Tremont when seasonal visitors start dropping in on the neighborhood’s bars to ensure that the beer taps and glassware are functioning properly.
Many complaints involved the 806 Wine Bar on Literary Avenue, where the stereotype of erudite merlot-sipping weenies is replaced by scenes more closely resembling a Real World cast party. (Among the highlights witnessed by neighbors: a young woman having marital relations with a traffic cone.)
But in February, 806 was evicted from its space, prompting the owner of the liquor license to consider selling to a group with plans for a high-end taqueria. If a recent license-renewal hearing at City Hall is any indication, that deal won’t go down smoothly.
The problem, according to councilman Joe Cimperman: The new group, the Justin Hughes Corporation, is actually a front organization for landlord Tom Leneghan, who also owns the Treehouse bar on the next block. According to Cimperman, when Leneghan owned the wine bar from 2001 to 2008, it was even more raucous than it is now.
And it’s plenty bad now, he adds.
“Other operations let out around the same time,” says Cimperman, “but we weren’t getting the same complaints. There’s not the severity anyplace else like 806 Literary.”
Meanwhile, the lawyer representing the license holder — moonlighting assistant county prosecutor Michael Dolan — tried to show that the complaints were few and far between, and not attributable specifically to 806. Assuming the liquor license is renewed, the decision over its transfer goes to Cleveland City Council for additional griping. Cimperman says he’ll oppose the move forever.
“I wish instead of fighting, they would come back with honest answers with how they’re going to address this,” he says. “I’ve spent more time on this liquor license than any other, and I have half the liquor licenses in Cleveland in my ward.”
If Cimperman succeeds, thirsty visitors to Tremont can take heart that there are still 672 other fine establishments within walking distance, all of them happy to serve you delicious alcohol products.
This article appears in Mar 28 – Apr 3, 2012.
Bar 806 was pretty good, the many times I was there everyone was acting like well…Adults…
And a great patio in the summer too…
Well, we don’t have a Tremont location, and I’d be all ears!
Can’t say I’ve ever been at that place. In an unrelated note, a traffic cone? Really? Needed it that bad, huh?
typical tom leneghan stunt. anyone in tremont could recite a litany of his idiot-isms. he and his loser sidekick, second-bananna jason buedert, spend all of their intoxicated free-time poring over their three-stooges-quality schemes. among a hundred other sins, leneghan took city money to add “parking” behind the treehouse adjacent to professor ave. as soon as the check from the city cleared, the “parking lot” mysteriously morphed into an addition to his existing patio. SHAZAMM! for more fun reading, check out the court dockets for cuyahoga county. leneghan represents abundantly on both the criminal and the civil sides. cimperman used to have a massive man-crush on him. looks like the honeymoon is over.
Yep. All makes sense now. The fake Justin Hughes LLC’s agent is actually Leneghan scapegoat Justin Beudert. The fall guy.
Scene should do some real reporting – like in the Mike Gill days – and follow up on the Frank Giglio ordeal.
The fake Justin Hughes, aka Justin Beudert- purchased the Giglio lot from foreclosure. On-line records and court documents that I reviewed showed one lot going to foreclosure. Somehow the court system included the second lot and now Justin Hughes LLC owns both lots.
Nice to have a well known attorney in the mix. It all fits in…….
Politics seems to be involved.
It’s too bad the people who made their comments have to hide behind their nicknames. Maybe it’s because they cannot validate their insults. Everyone has an opinion and is allowed to express it that is what is great about America. I have seen Tom Leneghan do many outstanding things for Tremont. I can validate that. People need to realize that these stories are printed and that they don’t have all the facts.