LIHU‘E — Who said a sour economy makes for a lousy time to open a business? Richie Ogata last month opened Richie’s Bar and Grill in the former Lihu‘e Cafe and Riptydz location at the corner of ‘Umi and ‘Ewalu
LIHU‘E — Who said a sour economy makes for a lousy time to open a business?
Richie Ogata last month opened Richie’s Bar and Grill in the former Lihu‘e Cafe and Riptydz location at the corner of ‘Umi and ‘Ewalu streets in Lihu‘e. It marked the beginning of a longtime dream to be his own boss and own and operate a bar and restaurant.
“I knew that it was a risk, one I was willing to take,” thanks to a solid business plan, he said last week.
Since Richie’s opened in early October, business has been increasing, with food sales “taking off” and patrons enjoying the “calm, pleasant” atmosphere, he said.
It would be nice to have more visitors patronize the new business, said Ogata, adding that the location a short block off Rice Street might be difficult for some to find.
Renovations are expected to wrap up this week, with the front part of the establishment soon to be a nightclub with live music and dancing. The rear bar area is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., serving lunch, dinner, pupus and drinks.
Last week, the county Liquor Control Commission unanimously approved Ogata’s application for a general restaurant license, which allows live entertainment and dancing.
Ogata said Monday that renovations will be done by week’s end.
From the Oct. 8 opening, Ogata has been operating with a temporary restaurant license, offering dancing to recorded music with a disc jockey.
There are 16 employees, full-time and part-time, he said.
In addition to the $480 fee for a general restaurant license, Richie’s has to pay to the Department of Liquor Control a fee based on the percentage of liquor sales, on an annual basis, according to the department’s rules.
The Liquor Control Commission public hearing for Richie’s application was Thursday in the Mo‘ikeha Building, with no one speaking for or against the application. Ogata was there to answer questions from commissioners.
Live music is planned Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Ogata told commissioners he has been modifying the front room of the establishment, putting partitions over the windows “trying to prevent noise pollution.”
The commission chair is Clifford Nakea, and Gerald Matsunaga is the vice-chairman. Members are Shirley Akita, Gary Pacheco, Myles Shibata, William “Billy” Gibson and Pauline Ventura.
Matsunaga asked Ogata if he would be willing to close earlier on Thursdays, as Friday is normally a working day for neighbors. Ogata said “yes.”
Akita asked if any nearby residents have complained about noise, and Ogata said “no.”
Ventura asked if the music has to go on until 2 a.m., and Ogata said the music usually ends at 1 a.m. or 1:30 a.m., to give him time to get everyone out of the place by 2 a.m.
Ventura also said the address has a history of noise complaints. Another commissioner asked if Ogata would be willing to cease live music on Thursdays, and Ogata said he would if there are complaints.
As part of issuance of any liquor license, the Department of Liquor Control conducts an investigation. At the public hearing there were no comments on the investigation report for Richie’s.
For more information on the department, visit www.kauai.gov/liquor.
