Stop 45 Business Swap Moves Forward in Avon Lake, Noise Concerns Expressed

Council voted 7-0 to allow a liquor license transfer from , located at 182 Lear Rd., to the space currently owned by at 153 Lear Rd., across the street.

The move into the larger space will allow the Stop 45 owner Tom Curry to expand the restaurant portion of his business.

The liquor license transfer is a critical step for the bar to move across the street, which will result in the ice cream parlor to the vacant space formerly occupied by Good Neighbor Thrift Shop.

While approval was unanimous, some council members issued words of advice to  Curry about being a good neighbor.

Councilman Larry Meiners expressed some concern over parking in the area. He said he expected the restaurant to be successful, and with that will come potential parking problems.

The parking has been deemed adequate by the fire marshal for the number of patrons the establishment will support.

Not everyone supported the move. Mull Avenue resident Leroy Baker said he would have liked to have been notified of the move ahead of time and expressed concern about children on bicycles traveling to, also situated on the east side of Lear Road.

Contacted after the vote, Baker said he felt the city needed to review zoning for establishments that abut residential areas and had safety concerns.

“I have concerns about kids on bikes on the sidewalk,” Baker said. “There could be possible intoxication from someone coming out of there and I hope and pray something tragic doesn’t happen.”

He also questioned whether allowing patrons on the patio would violate noise ordinances. Currently, the city’s ordinance states, "No person shall disturb the good order and quiet of the Municipality by clamors or noises, intoxication, drunkenness, fighting, quarreling...using obscene or profane language in the streets and other public places to the annoyance of the residents..."

Before the vote, council members expresses concerns about noise levels, especially on the new location's patio, where there is an 11 p.m. curfew on weekdays and midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Councilman David Kos supported the liquor license transfer with reservations.

“I personally don’t care for the 11 p.m. curfew on weekdays; I think it’s too late,” Kos said about patrons on the patio.

Kos dealt with noise concerns from the now-closed McCarthy’s and recommended  Curry contact nearby residents ahead of time and listen to potential concerns. Music will not be permitted on the patio, but Kos warned about sports programs being broadcast on the patio and “gaming” such as cornhole, being permitted, which could get noisy. 

“I’m giving you guys the benefit of the doubt,” Kos said.

Other council members said many problems could be avoided simply by being a good neighbor and talking over concerns before the location, which will serve more as a restaurant, re-opens.

Curry’s current Stop 45 Tavern location also abuts a residential area and has not experienced significant problems. He has owned the bar for nine years.