Board recommends approval for BDS Town Square Reno restaurants; places training condition on manager with past employment issues
Loading...
Summary
The board recommended approval of restricted licenses for Stellar's Lounge and Pine Ridge Tavern (BDS Town Square Reno LLC) but attached conditions including surveillance checks and a requirement that David Nolan complete a restricted-license regulatory compliance seminar within 90 days.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board on Dec. 4 recommended approval of two restricted gaming licenses for BDS Town Square Reno LLC — for Stellar's Lounge and Pine Ridge Tavern — and imposed conditions intended to address a flagged employment history of one proposed manager.
Madam Secretary read restricted items 2 and 3, which seek licensure and suitability determinations for Bruce Famillion, David Nolan and Steven Riccio. Bruce Famillion described investing more than $750,000 in remodel work, distinct concepts for Pine Ridge (family restaurant) and Stellar's (adult/smoking lounge) and plans to open the venues quickly if the board and commission grant approval.
David Nolan, who sought licensure as a member/manager, gave a detailed statement acknowledging a 2011–2012 episode with a prior employer that led to his termination for overextending credit. Nolan told the board he learned from the experience, has worked steadily since 2015 at the Klondike Sunset and asserted no subsequent compliance issues.
Board members probed the 2011–2014 timeline, a 2018 referral-back to staff and the absence of a final resolution at that time. The board sought assurance about Nolan’s current practices and controls. The board added two specific conditions to the recommendation for restricted item 2: surveillance-system inspection and an explicit training requirement for Nolan. The motion to recommend approval for item 2 included this condition: "David Michael Nolan shall demonstrate successful completion of a regulatory compliance seminar for restricted licensees... within 90 days of issuance of the state gaming license." The motion passed with aye votes recorded from Member Assad, Member Sandahl and Chairman Dreitz.
The board then moved on to restricted item 3 and similarly recommended approval.
What’s next: The recommended approvals and conditions will be forwarded to the Nevada Gaming Commission. The training requirement is administratively extendable by the board chair if necessary.
