New Kensington approves liquor license for planned bed and breakfast

The transfer of a liquor license to a planned New Kensington bed and breakfast/events center has been approved by city council.

Unanimous approval of the transfer of a liquor license located in Loyalhanna Township and currently owned by Marchitelli Enterprises Inc. to Bloser Mansion LLC, 479 Sixth Ave., came despite an objection by a nearby property owner.

Ken O’Shell, a Lower Burrell resident who owns property in the same Parnassus neighborhood, expressed concerns about “a barroom” opening there.

That was despite the promise of Corey Pistininzi, who heads the Bloser Mansion LLC, which includes his wife, Alyssa, and aunt, Kelly Corrodoni, and Greg Nichols, the attorney representing the LLC.

“They do not want to open a bar but use alcohol to help facilitate food sales,” Nichols told council. He also said the state Liquor Control Board still must approve the license transfer.

Pistininzi, whose plan was previously approved for rezoning by the planning commission and zoning hearing board, is renovating the old mansion at 479 Sixth Ave. that was built by the Bloser family in 1921.

He said that in addition to hosting guests at what would be a seven-room bed and breakfast, the LLC wants to hold small events such as bridal or baby showers, funeral wakes, small weddings and wine and beer tasting events.

But O’Shell foresees something else.

“I don’t think we need a bar room community there,” O’Shell said as he tried to draw parallels to crowds drawn to the House of 1,000 Beers a few blocks away, which is a restaurant that sells alcohol, or the Sheetz gas station close to it, which also sells beer.

Both are in a commercial zoning district, however, while the mansion is in a residentially zoned area for which the zoning board granted it a use variance.

Other residents, however, see it differently and spoke on behalf of Pistininzi and his project.

John Zavadak, the city controller and a Parnassus resident, stepped away from the dais where he sits with other city officials, to testify.

He said Pistininzi is investing “probably $500,000” in the renovation.

“I think it will do a lot for the neighborhood,” he said. “It will raise property values.”

Jim Bowser, another city resident said, “That place that’s going in is different than Sheetz. It is different than House of 1,000 Beers.”

Sam Lombardo, a Mount Vernon neighborhood resident, said, “New Kensington needs all the little businesses we can get. He’s not going to turn it into a shot-and-beer club.”

Tillie Radvansky, a Riverview Drive resident, told council, “ I think it is a good thing for our neighborhood.”

In answer to a question from Mayor Tom Guzzo, Pistininzi reiterated what Nichols previously stated, saying he does not intend to open a public bar. He said if guests staying at the bed and breakfast wanted to get an alcoholic drink there, they would only be able to do so in conjunction with an event there.

The hearing was adjourned and the transfer was approved during the council meeting that immediately followed.

Guzzo, in casting his vote to approve, framed it as a situation of challenge and opportunity.

“I think this is going to be a great challenge, but I also believe it is going to be a great opportunity,” he said.