Oct 25, 2002 By April Straughters 3 min read

CALIFORNIA – Two businesses, opening on Wood and Second streets, are requesting a transfer of liquor licenses. A public hearing will be held on today at 6:30 p.m.

Mayor Galvie Gardner said he has received calls from a number of residents on the issue.

“I’m telling them to come to the meeting and voice their opinions,” he said.

Gardner would not comment on the issue any further. He said the public hearing is the place for the issue to be discussed by the residents.

According to borough solicitor Mike Savona, Linda J. Teslovich has requested a liquor license transfer to open a business at 141-143 Second St., while Mike Grimes of Speers has requested a liquor license transfer to open a business at 128 Wood St.

Grimes, owner of Campys Pizza and Six Pack Shop, located on Route 88 in Speers, said he plans to open a pizza and six pack shop at that location. Grimes said he wants people to know his shop is “definitely not a bar.”

“I’ve been operating in Charleroi (Speers) for 14 years and I’ve never had a violation. My slate is clean. I feel there is an opportunity for me in California, with only one other (pizza) six pack shop,” he said. “We sponsor local sports teams and school events. We are very much family orientated. We are not a bar.”

Grimes said his California shop will be run the same as the one in Charleroi and will be an eat-in or take-out shop.

Teslovich did not return several phone calls seeking information on the business she intends to open.

Savona said he is not sure what type of business she plans to bring to the borough, but said she is purchasing a license from DiFalco Enterprise Inc.

According to Savona, Grimes is purchasing a license from Mikes Bar & Grill in Charleroi.

Grimes said his license purchase is “under the article of agreement pending approval from the borough.”

According to California police Chief Steve Silbaugh, approximately a dozen establishments have liquor licenses in the borough.

Savona said transfers of liquor licenses are fairly new in the state.

According to the state’s Liquor Control Board Web site, the municipal approval process must include at least one public hearing by the municipal governing body for the purpose of receiving comments and recommendations of interested individuals residing within the municipality concerning the applicant’s intent to acquire an inter-municipal transfer from the PLCB.