City bends rules for Jillian’s
One of the few remaining businesses in downtown’s Neonopolis will stay open thanks to the city bending its own rules Wednesday to grant a bar and restaurant a permanent liquor license.
The landlord of Jillian’s’ refuses to submit to a background check, a requirement under city code for all key members of an establishment seeking a liquor license.
But with only a brief discussion on the matter, the City Council voted unanimously to grant a permanent liquor license to the bar and restaurant, with a review in 90 days.
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman admitted the move could set a precedent, but said it was more important to keep Jillian’s open and workers there on the job.
“It doesn’t bother me, because we’re doing the right thing,” Goodman said. “Why would I want to put 50 people out of work?”
It has been a year since Wirrulla Hayward bought Neonopolis, at Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard, for $25 million. Shortly after the purchase, most of the outdoor mall’s tenants left.
The only tenants still in the project, which the new owners have rebranded Fremont Square, are Jillian’s, a movie theater, a jewelry store and a television poker studio.
Loraine Kusuhara, presient of Jillian’s, passed a background check done by Las Vegas police.
But at the May 16 council meeting, city staff said one of Wirrulla’s owners, Dharmesh Bhanabhai, refused to submit to a background check.
City Attorney Brad Jerbic said at that meeting a landlord who could potentially shut down a business is required to submit to a background check.
The city gave Kusuhara a temporary liquor license at the May council meeting.
Goodman had said he would look to keep Jillian’s open.
At Wednesday’s council meeting, Goodman said he had been told that those who booked parties for Thanksgiving and Christmas were nervous that alcohol might not be allowed at Jillian’s.
He praised Kusuhara, saying she “always conducted herself like a lady.”
After the vote, Kusuhara, wife of Neonopolis frontman Rohit Joshi, said she is trying to make Jillian’s successful. Negative press about Neonopolis has only hurt her business, she said.
She said Bhanabhai “doesn’t want anything to do with the restaurant/bar business,” because he thinks restaurants are a losing proposition.
Losing the liquor license would have forced her to close the business.
The city also extended a parking validation program for Neonopolis for 90 days.
Joshi said they are talking to potential major tenants.
When Joshi mentioned that it has been a year since Wirrulla Hayward bought the project, Goodman did not sing “Happy Birthday.”
“You’ve closed down every place in there. It’s been a great year,” Goodman said sarcastically.
Joshi pointed out that the former tenants were not paying rent to the old ownership.
