Commission approves ownership transfer and liquor-license local approval for Kaishin Izakaya at 176 S. Old Woodward

By unanimous roll-call vote, the Birmingham City Commission on Oct. 27 authorized the city clerk to complete the local-approval notice required by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and approved a special land use (SLU) amendment to transfer a Class C (on-premises) and SDM (off-premises) liquor license for 176 South Old Woodward Avenue to Gold Coin Inc., which will operate as Kaishin Izakaya.

Planning Director Nick Dupuy presented a joint planning and public-safety report noting there are no proposed changes to the site's approved exterior or the previously approved floor plan and outdoor service area. Attorney David Draper and applicant Woo Jin Lee described the concept as a Japanese izakaya-style bistro offering sushi, sashimi, ramen, yakitori, sake and beer. The police department provided the required local-review input and identified no impediment to transferring local approval for the liquor license.

No members of the public spoke during the required public-hearing period. The commission moved and seconded the recommended resolutions to authorize local-approval notice signatures and to approve the SLU amendment for the new owner. The clerk recorded a unanimous vote in favor of both actions; the applicant received staff instructions about final licensing steps and sign permits.