Published: September 19, 2009 11:59 pm      

Colver getting liquor license

EBENSBURG — With only one objection, and that from a competitor, the village of Colver is getting a new liquor license, enabling the Sons of Italy building to re-open and bringing a new business into an old coal town.

After hearing support for the new bar and restaurant, and only one complaint against it, Cambria Township supervisors unanimously approved it on Monday.

For Ebensburg, it will mean the closure of Chuck’s Pizza on West High Street.

Charles Hockenberry of Barr Township received approval for the transfer of a liquor license from the former Fox’s Pizza in Ebensburg, held by Charles Koshak of Bedford Street in Johnstown.

The move requires approval from township supervisors, and Hockenberry submitted a petition with 150 signatures of people supporting the transfer.

Hockenberry, who is leasing the closed Sons of Italy building on Tripilo Road outside of Colver, plans to open a pizza shop, bar and deli at the site.

His Ebensburg pizza shop does not serve alcohol and will close when the new restaurant is open, he said.

“I will bring in a good business,” he said in his application.

“A lot of people have stopped in and said they can’t wait until I open.”

Hockenberry notified Cambria Township supervisors last month that he had filed for a liquor license to operate a bar and pizza shop in the closed building.

At that time Paul Benigni, representing the Sons of Italy club, told the supervisors that reopening the building would be a positive thing for the organization.

Hockenberry’s plans also rekindled a debate about whether alleys in villages are public or private because a nearby bar owner was accused of blocking the Sons of Italy building by fencing off the alley behind it.

Township Solicitor Dennis Govachini, acting in his capacity as attorney for the Sons of Italy, threatened legal action.

“You remove that fence or we’ll take you to court,” Govachini said then to Randy Mahan, owner of the Tripoli Tavern.

The same members of the public were at the supervisors’ meeting last week, with Mahan the only person testifying against Hockenberry’s plans.

Former township supervisor Fred Sauger spoke in support.

“It’s needed, and there’s no reason why people can’t get pizza in town,” he said.

“We need a restaurant in Colver.”

Several other residents spoke in support, remembering the coal-mining days when Colver was a bustling town.

“We need an eating establishment in Colver,” said Steve Verbosky.

Vicki Radebach agreed, saying she likes the idea of re-opening the Sons of Italy club building instead of tearing it down.

Opposing the license again was Mahan, who said that with the declining population, another bar is not needed.

He also raised questions about access from the Colver Road.

Supervisors said the issue of whether the license transfer is legal is up to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, and all agreed that Colver will benefit from a new establishment.

Hockenberry’s application attested that the business would not be transferred within the next five years, and that the location is not within 300 feet of any church, hospital, charitable institution, school or public playground – all requirements under state law.

Also, as required by state law, the supervisors held a public hearing on the proposed transfer and heard comments from residents.

The vote was taken at the meeting following the hearing.

Hockenberry said he did not have a timetable yet for closing Chuck’s Pizza in Ebensburg or for opening his new restaurant in Colver.