Problematic liquor store may reopen under new management
Brandy's Liquor Shop is located at 902 W. Michigan Ave.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
According to an April 22 memo from City Attorney John Barr to Mayor Paul Schreiber, the building would still be owned by the former owners but rented to different people.
A Washtenaw County Circuit judge ordered the store padlocked for one year. That order expired on Oct. 4, 2012, and the building has sat vacant since.
The Hanna family and their company, O’Brian Building, owns the property at 902 W. Michigan Ave., at the corner of Summit Street. Brian Hanna also owns Hanna Brothers Worldwide, which is the company that owns Brandy’s and its two liquor licenses.
On Aug. 6, 2012, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission ordered the two liquor licenses owned by Hanna Brothers Worldwide be placed in escrow until they were transferred to someone who is not related to or associated with the family.
According to the memo, Barr’s office learned Michigan Summit Inc., owned by an Eastpointe Happy’s Pizza owner, plans to purchase the licenses from Hanna Worldwide and rent the building from O’Brian Building. The Ypsilanti Police and Barr’s office have investigated whether or not Michigan Summit owner Frank Oraha has any ties to the Hanna family.
Barr stated in the memo that Oraha and Hanna both used the same attorney for their business’s incorporation. That attorney also is working as the escrow agent for the purchase agreement between the two businesses.
Barr stated in the memo that the final decision on whether the liquor licenses can be transferred to the new owner and whether there is any association lies with the MLCC, which is conducting its own investigation.
Barr stated that the Ypsilanti Police have been in contact with the MLCC investigator.
"Essentially, if it is determined that Mr. Oraha has no connection to the Hanna family, then there is nothing preventing Mr. Oraha from re-opening the store,” Barr wrote. “It should be stressed that the decision to grant the transfer of the liquor licenses rests with the MLCC.”
Barr said the fire department is working with Oraha to ensure the building is brought up to code.
“Mr. Oraha has communicated that he does intend to operate Brandy’s as a liquor store, but that he does intend to change the name,” Barr wrote.
In June 2011, the city filed a motion asking Judge Timothy Connors to find Brandy’s then-owner Sam Hanna in contempt of court for failing to meet several provisions of a March 2009 order to make improvements and clean up the troubled store.
The motion noted neighbors living around the store had endured regular and open drug dealing, fights, shootings and prostitution, among other issues.
The city said Brandy’s failed to follow a provision stating “defendants shall continue to take all necessary actions to conduct business in an orderly, lawful, peaceful and quiet manner and not allow or permit any action or behavior on or about the premises that would be a nuisance.”
Additionally, as part of an undercover raid by the Michigan State Police and Ypsilanti Police Department in August 2010, Brian Hanna, was arrested for receiving and selling stolen goods, including liquor, to undercover investigators on five separate occasions.
Schreiber said he believes a party store could responsibly operate at the location, but he said Brandy's owners repeatedly proved they couldn't.
"I think it's possible to have a responsible business there and the city is going to do everything it can do to make sure that’s the case," he said. "The LCC holds the power here, but we need to make sure they have all the information they need."
The Ypsilanti City Council meets on April 22, though nothing regarding the transfer was on the agenda as of Monday night.
Comments
TK2013
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 2:09 p.m.
Looks like another wonderful location for Ms. Gillotti and Councilman Jefferson (and our many planning consultants) to hold another "master plan" community meeting!
Hugh Giariola
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 12:36 p.m.
A bulldozer is the best solution for that building.
Ypsi Eastsider
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 4:31 a.m.
Liquor stores and dollar stores, that is the vision of Mayor Schreiber for the future of Ypsilanti.
newsboy
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 4:24 a.m.
I have two stores within walking distance In Ann Arbor with little crime. The problem is who you allow to live in your town, and how much subsidized housing you can tolerate!
adr
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 1:52 a.m.
The actual new owners, have a store on Main and Summit in Ann Arbor, and they do not allow a lot of crap before they call the police and have the problem resolve. Give them a chance, I think every one will be hapy
Honest Abe
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 10:18 p.m.
Let's all just be honest. Regardless of WHO actually owns the store, the location is awful. Things have toned down so much since the store closed, why wake things up? Again, regardless of who owns this place the crowds are going to come! Whether it's cars parked, blasting music and drug deals being conducted all the way to packs of people loitering around the store. Not to mention all the litter that comes along too; such as wrappers, whiskey bottles, bag...etc Even with new owners; what are they going to do? Call the Police every time a crowd forms or loud music is played? I doubt it, not to mention YPD is not going to devote their time to monitoring this store day in, day out. If it's going to take all of that, then that is reason the store needs to remain closed! Besides, the last thing the South side of Ypsilanti needs, is ANOTHER LIQUOR STORE! There is no advantage to the city of having this store open...and I keep emphasizing 'regardless of ownership'. If anyone out here truly thinks this place needs to reopen, make sure you live RIGHT there next to that place!
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 10:10 p.m.
The re-opening of that liquor store will surely be a valuable asset to the local community. Why, just the other night I was in that area on foot at 1AM wondering where I could get myself a bottle to take the edge off.
Scott Straley
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 8:47 p.m.
The Ypsilanti City Council meets on April 23 at 7 PM to 10 PM (Not the 22nd, as indicated in the article above.)
nickcarraweigh
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 7:34 p.m.
Some might feel this is a lot of doubletalk, and it might even sound shady to the rest of you, a lawyer representing both sides in a contract. You might start thinking about straw buyers and such. But the tricky part of any contract that actually has tricky parts is to explain stuff that makes no sense, which is why some lawyers get paid so much, sometimes. Now you know. And since they're changing the name of the store, I'm sure everything will turn out just fine.
Hi McDonnough
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 7:13 p.m.
Did you know the MLCC has a Facebook page? Make yourself heard.
Hi McDonnough
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 7:06 p.m.
From what I understand, the MLCC grants liquor licenses based on the individuals who are going to own it AND the location they are going to use it (e.g. not close to a school.) One would think that a corner rife with drugs and prostitution wouldn't qualify for the execution of a liquor license. If they do say OK, it will be a major blow to the area. There are lots of good things going on next door at Growing Hope and the rehab of the Kircher properties just around the corner. Bringing this monstrosity back to life is only going to set back the good work people are doing for Ypsi.
Fordie
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 6:11 p.m.
Does anyone else think the guy in the picture looks like he's in a time out?
mady
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 1:15 p.m.
I do too!
TK2013
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 4:59 p.m.
This is a good example of why real and meaningful positive change in Ypsi is impossible.
Howard Beale
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 4:40 p.m.
This shell game they are trying to play with the liquor license won't change a thing as long as you have the same clientele frequenting the establishment.
Honest Abe
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 4:36 p.m.
I really hope this store does not reopen. Otherwise, the problems are going to begin, especially with the warmer weather approaching. I'm going to contact the MLCC and voice my concerns and I hope the rest of you do too!
Stewart G. Griffin
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 4:36 p.m.
"New" management. Riiiiiiiiiiiiight.
Alan Goldsmith
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 4:30 p.m.
"Additionally, as part of an undercover raid by the Michigan State Police and Ypsilanti Police Department in August 2010, Brian Hanna, was arrested for receiving and selling stolen goods, including liquor, to undercover investigators on five separate occasions". Wow, the Liqour Control Commision has zero standards when it comes to enforcing the law and the right to own a license. Why does Hanna even have the right to escrow his license and sell it? AND own the building to 'rent'? It boggles the mind how incompetent this entire scenario is going. The City has NO Input into the LCC process for license transfer? This simply isn't true.
Jay Thomas
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 10:10 p.m.
Shocking. The license should be revoked for malfeasance.
Stupid Hick
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 10:34 p.m.
Should it be illegal for convicts to own property? Was Hanna a convict, or was he only arrested? The article doesn't say he was convicted, so I'll assume he wasn't.