SCOTT: Two business proposals come before city council

By Editor | April 13, 2022 |

By Carmen Ensinger

Two Winchester residents came before the Winchester City Council at the April 6 meeting with proposals for new businesses within the city. However, both of these new businesses will require the city council to approve a liquor license for the establishment so they can apply for a gaming license which will supplement the income from the initial business.

The first to make their proposal to the council was Kayla Latham who wants to put in an arcade for kids similar to the Chucky Cheese atmosphere next to Two Dog Saloon.

“I have a 12-year-old and they want to go places and hang out,” Latham said. “I wanted to create a safe place for them to hang out locally which was affordable.”
It would be more than just a simple arcade.

“We are also renovating the building and putting in a balcony upstairs for birthday parties for the kids,” Latham said. “The middle of second floor will be taken out and a walk around balcony installed where you can look downstairs and watch your children. The upstairs will be rentable for private parties and then the kids can come downstairs and play the games.”

Latham said the business will take a substantial amount of investment on their part.

“We are investing over $100,000 in this business with the renovations that we are planning,” Latham said. “Plus, we are planning on having 16 arcade machines and spending $15,000 on card readers alone. These will allow kids to put their money on cards which can be kept for use at another time and will allow us to do promotions, etcetera.”
Latham said they need the liquor license so they can get the video gaming for the parents who will be waiting for their children while they are playing the video games.

“We are not going to allow any children under the age of 12 inside the building without their parents,” Latham said. “This way, our hope is to give the parents something to do while their children are playing the arcade games. We are not trying to open a bar. We only need the liquor license for the poker machines to help keep the business afloat.”
Latham said their plan is to have only minimal beer and wine options available and they would be located in a separate area away from the arcade games.

The second proposal came from Harlan Smith representing the Project Plamor Investment Group who is planning on putting in a combination pizza parlor and simulated golf establishment in the building that used to be the Pitt Stop.

“Our investment group is currently exploring the feasibility of bringing a pizza-based establishment back to the Winchester community,” Smith said. “Although it is clear there is widespread interest in such a business returning, it is also clear that serving pizzas alone is not a sustainable business in Winchester. Over the last 30 years, we have seen numerous pizza-based establishments open and close the doors at 12 E. Cross St.”

Additional revenue streams are needed to keep pizza-based establishments open in small communities such as Winchester.

“Alcohol and gaming provide that revenue,” Smith said. “Therefore, liquor and gaming licenses are essential pillars of our business plan, without which we cannot justify making the substantial investment necessary to bring our concept into reality.”

That concept is a family friendly pizza restaurant and sports bar that includes various gaming amenities from video-gambling machines to a multi-sport simulator.
“We have reached a partnership agreement to serve Pittsfield-based Gianni’s Pizza,” Smith said. “Our goal is to create an atmosphere where people feel just as comfortable taking their family out for dinner as they do meeting friends to watch the game and have a drink.”

Realizing this dream will require a near total renovation of the property at 12 E. Cross St. which will require a significant investment.

“As it stands, we are looking at $175,000 to $200,000 in renovations because we intend to reimagine and rebuild the entire space,” Smith said. “We intend to put in a new kitchen, bathrooms as well as new bar and outdoor beer garden. This will be yet another significant contribution to the remarkable revitalization of the Winchester square that we have all witnessed in recent years.”

Smith said it is not their intention to open another bar in Winchester.

“We don’t have any intention of running or opening a bar – the outdoor beer garden is more of an area for people go outside and smoke,” he said. “We are looking for a more family friendly atmosphere where people can come up and get food and we are even thinking about delivering food, which could be a tremendous service to the elderly. These are just some ideas we hope to put in motion if we are granted the liquor and gambling licenses. The alcohol and gambling fees will substantially support the business to make sure the doors stay open.”

Smith said it will not only add to the to the continued revitalization of the square but it will also provide additional job opportunities to members of the community.
“Currently, we anticipate needing between five and 10 full and part time employees,” he said. “This includes management, wait staff, cooks and delivery drivers.”

There was a third applicant, Tanner Hurrellbrink, who submitted an application to put in a slot machine parlor in the old chiropractor’s office across from the bank. However, Hurrellbrink was not there to personally pitch his business plan.

He did, however, submit a short synopsis of his business plan.

“I would like a gaming room with machines, along with a small bar for the patrons to have a drink while they play,” he said. “In the bar area I would like to have some tables to where people can sit and watch ball games as I would make sure to have plenty of TV’s throughout the building. The primary use will be gaming. The alcohol that will be served will be a convenience for anyone that would like a drink while they play.”