Council approves Cigar World transfer, conditions licenses on inspections and certificate of occupancy

The Cranston City Council voted to approve the transfer of a Class B liquor license for Cigar World LLC and granted related local operating licenses for the business’s new location, but placed final issuance of those licenses on the receipt of a city certificate of occupancy and the state health department’s approval.

Council members said the approvals were contingent on inspections and required permits. The council approved the transfer of the liquor license from Cigar World LLC at 686 Reservoir Avenue to Segah World LLC at 22 Roush Street and separately approved licenses for Cigar World LLC at 22 Ralph Square with hours of operation listed as 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. The clerk was instructed to hold the licenses until the required documents are submitted.

Why it matters: The council’s conditions ensure city and state safety and code approvals are complete before a new food-and-beverage operator begins full operations at a new location. Council members frequently conditioned licenses on outstanding fire, building and health approvals during the meeting as a routine safeguard.

City officials and applicants described the outstanding items on the record. Attorney Robert Peretti, representing the applicant, and Anthony Davidson, the manager for Cigar World, said they had submitted an improved fire plan and an approved fire alarm system but did not yet have a certificate of occupancy. Davidson said the remaining work included building permit inspections, construction of a rear exit wall, and installation of a second bathroom; he also said the business was awaiting a wastewater discharge permit. The council repeatedly instructed the clerk to hold local licenses until the certificate of occupancy and, where applicable, a Rhode Island Department of Health license have been issued.

The council took separate votes on: (1) transfer of the Class B liquor license conditioned on a certificate of occupancy being filed with the clerk, and (2) local licenses for the Ralph Square location conditioned on both the Department of Health license and a certificate of occupancy. Both measures passed on roll call votes.

The council’s motions and roll-call votes were recorded by the clerk. Council members who voted in favor during the recorded roll calls included Councilwoman Graziano, Councilman Andujar, Councilman Ritz, Councilman Traficante, Council Vice President Wahl, Councilwoman Horayan and Council President Marino. No opposing votes were recorded in the roll-call sequence for these items.

The council’s conditions mean the businesses may not receive their official licenses until the city clerk confirms receipt of the certificate of occupancy and, where required, the state health license. The clerk will return the items to the council if the conditions remain unmet.

Proper names and authorities referenced on the record include the Rhode Island Department of Health license and the city certificate of occupancy requirement; the council did not cite a specific ordinance number when placing the administrative hold on licenses.

The items will return to the clerk’s office for administrative release once the outstanding inspections and documentation are submitted.