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| Employee Elena Borovkova, left, and Ernestine “Tina” Combs mix nonalcoholic drinks at the bar counter of Uroma’s Lounge.
(hyunsoo leo kim | the virginian-pilot) |
By Richard Quinn
The Virginian-Pilot
VIRGINIA BEACH
A man with Popeye arms and construction worker hands made his way past the empty stage and through the dining room at Uroma’s Lounge before settling at the bar.
He wanted a beer but had to settle for a Gatorade, glaring at the neon liquid until he’d gulped the last of it.
Uroma’s, a would-be martini bar, opened about two weeks ago at 17th Street and Pacific Avenue. But it still can’t serve alcohol because it doesn’t have the state licenses to do so. The city opposed Uroma’s application as part of what it says is an ongoing effort to limit the number of places serving liquor, and potential problems, at the Oceanfront.
Uroma’s operator Ernestine “Tina” Combs hopes the eatery builds a following as a juice bar with good food and live music – even as she continues to fight for her liquor licenses. Her next court hearing is scheduled in Richmond for a week from today.
“We’re trying to bring a quality establishment to the area,” said Combs, a 35-year-old Hampton resident.
Combs and city officials have different opinions on what “quality” is.
In May, a hearing officer for the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control concluded that Combs should get licenses to sell beer, wine and liquor. Eight days later, the ABC board rejected the officer’s recommendation, agreeing with the city’s argument that another bar at the Oceanfront would only intensify public safety problems confronting police.
The board found “ample evidence … that the granting of a license is detrimental to the safety and welfare of the public,” according to the ABC ruling.
Combs hired a new attorney, Michael P. Lafayette, to appeal that decision. He said Monday that he is hopeful a compromise can be reached.
Lafayette said his client is open to setting conditions – such as a dress code and entertainment restrictions – that might allay city concerns.
“I don’t see how anybody’s opposed to a restaurant,” Lafayette said. “They just don’t want it to turn into another nightclub that is just serving alcohol. We understand that.”
Combs believes it is unfair to penalize her for the actions of other bars.
She said she spent $50,000 renovating her restaurant. There are flat-screen televisions on two floors and a refurbished stage area that hosts jazz and blues bands. Waitresses have uniforms, and Combs boasts of white-linen service in the dining room.
“I understand exactly the concerns of Virginia Beach,” Combs said, adding, “Everyone deserves a fair opportunity.”
City officials say they don’t object to Combs’ restaurant. But those same officials say they have fought several recent ABC applications to protect the family-friendly identity of the resort area.
Combs said police officers repeatedly visit her restaurant, questioning diners on whether they’ve been served alcohol. Police Capt. Tony Zucaro, commander of the precinct based at the Oceanfront, said his officers normally visit a new business. The officers do that to familiarize themselves with the layout and to meet the owners, he said.
Once police realized Uroma’s had opened, the department reached out to the restaurant’s staff, he said.
“We offered our full range of assistance in hopes she is able to operate a profitable restaurant,” Zucaro wrote in an e-mailed response to questions about the restaurant.
Combs envisioned an upscale martini lounge with creative tapas such as “five-spice salmon” and “teriyaki beef satays.” She even printed menus with those dishes.
But without martinis to tag along, she has since opted for basic bar grub. Buffalo chicken wings, sweet-potato fries and quesadillas all made it to one table last week.
Without alcohol, Combs had to get creative with drinks.
She offers tropical concoctions with musical names. The “sousaphone” is a blend of pineapple, orange and lemon flavors, while the “clarinet” is limeade made with real limes. The “violin” is a passion fruit fizz.
Combs doesn’t know if she can survive without serving liquor. She posts two interns from Hampton University on 17th Street each night to attract potential customers.
At 8:27 Friday night, only two tables had customers.
One pair was deciding what to get. The other had three appetizers – and two glasses of water.
“I would come back,” Ophelia Falls, a weekend vacationer from the Washington area, said as a live blues band played in the background. “When they get their liquor license, I would definitely come back.”
Richard Quinn, (757) 222-5119,
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Good luck lady!
Hey I wish her all the luck but she really should have done a little more research before settling down there. The oceanfront is just what the kids call "wack!" Whenever i come home i'm sure to stay way clear of the beach (unless i got a couple of outta towners w/). There's no class,culture, civility,barely even a good time dwn there. Unless your into sailors, tourists,degenerates. Locals just stay away. And as much as it may hurt VB'ers...Norfolk is the only place to party or have an "adult" time in this area...I'm sorry but it's true. I would have just taken my chances in Wards Corner if i was her b4 the beach. And folks...your all fooling yourselfs if you think her complexion is not a factor....i'm sorry but that's true too
what does it matter
The Oceanfront is a stale, cultureless cesspool of bad hotels, cheap t-shirt and trinket shops, and some of the worst food you've ever had in your life. It makes a great vacation for hillbillies who've never seen the ocean, but that's about it. As a local who works at the Oceanfront, people ask me all the time for recommendations for great food like I'm going to direct them to some little mom and the pop hole in the wall churning out Mario Batali quality food. Right. It's sad when the best food in the city is from the chain restaurants ten miles inland at Town Center. The best I can usually do is tell them that, ironically, we have some of the best NY pizza around (YNot, Primo, Sal's (the one at N Lynnhaven and VBB). Again, it's all inland.
More Politics - not about the people
Bottom line is that if the "people" don't want it, they won't frequent the establishment. Personally, I am sick to death of politicians trying to run my life. There are far more important things that need to be addressed than trying to interfere with a person's right to a business venture.
The whole food establishment serving alcohol is absurd. A real nightclub with music and dancing would be an asset. Better for people to drink and dance it off than to sit idle drinking. If you want to clean up the oceanfront (and I live down here) then enforce neighborhood preservation zoning and get the structures up to code so they don't look like the slums.
orberndorf stinks.
so does the va beach city council...sign the petition for her to resign!!!
Oceanfront - not for Locals..
What's hard to understand, VBCC does not want locals down at the oceanfront during tourist season. Yes they want your tax dollars, your 10% meals tax that goes to the oceanfront, but you personally? No, stay away, the beach is for tourist, we'll tow your cars, throw you in jail, discourage you and make sure you know that you are not welcome, that includes you opening a business that they do not approve of. Oh, btw, do come back in October - April, spend your money, enjoy the cold weather, we can't understand why businesses are having such a hard time during the winter months....
Put your money where your mouth is..
It's sad that this person's dream is being deferred and I can see how some would feel race is a factor. The most connected members of our society are not of a darker persuasion; however, I think this has more to do with a small group of people's perception of what the oceanfront should look like. They are misguided in their narrow minded view, so there's not as much available to do as it should be. There should be something for everyone to enjoy, not just families. I always have or witness a feeling of being unwelcome be it based on age (teens/young adults), groups of single people, or ethnicity. If you feel this is unjust, then show your support by patronizing this establishment. Money moves councilmen sad to say.
Lack of Culture?
In response to Dawn J.'s comment about a lack of culture in Tidewater. Speak for your own city. Norfolk, Va Beach, P-town, and the rest of the pack have no culture. Tidewater has culture. Williamsburg, the Northern Neck, Southside VA, all have their own culture. Sure, it may not involve "clubbing", thugs, bling, "martini bars", or whatever else people in those cities enjoy. But it is culture nonetheless. The interior Hampton roads cities consist mostly of transients, migrant workers, tourists, and sailors. Or course they have "no culture"! I dont think allowing a "martini bar" is going to help that, unfortunately.
Local Here
Well this is how I see it. One being a local I stay totally away from that area until Oct. So I could really care what they do down there. That area to me is always for tourist and sailors. So give it to them or not who cares. If they give it to them just get more drunk in publics and give our city more money. I remember hanging down there surfing when I was young and we did all our drinking on the beach!!!!! So give the sailors and tourists the bar, and mount up the police!
What else is new
The Ciry Council has done it again. However, the citizens should be used to this. This is not a new practice for the council. We're going to lose Oceana and now they want to run off any other businesses that will invest in the beach. Getting rid of Maddox was a great move. Now continue the wisdom and send the rest of council packing and get some new blood that truly knows what is right for the beach.
Glad the license was denied.....
We already have enough alcohol and trouble in that area. Hey.... Juice is good. Let's keep cleaning up that problem area.... Maybe we can attract more tourists when they don't have to walk around drunks, worry about getting run down by one or harmed by one.
VB just another Redneck town like Norfolk
This area just doesn't have the customer base to support what I would call decent places to go to. Granby St started to get nice back in like 1998 but now is full of the usual boring people and lame bars. Va Beach has always sucked. This place will never be as much fun as Miami, NYC or any decent European party spot. So what is the harm in another drinking establishment on the Oceanfront. I would think with the new fines the cops would love to have more people to arrest. I mean really, a family destination. I would think my life sucked if my vacation was on Va Beach.
Become a private club!
They should become a private club and then they can do whatever they want to do. Every VFW, Moose, American Legion Post, Elks, et. al., serves/sells liquor as a private club. If they don't want to sell liquor, they can become a bottle club and sell set-ups to people who bring their own bottles of liquor, beer or wine. Why bother jumping through all the hoops? Charge a membership fee of $5 a month and be open whatever hours you please and do anything you want!
if people want to drink they will
dont forget people there is a vabc place across the road the state and city would lose money let the lady have a 3 month trail and then go from there
Don't you dare
Don't you dare blame the street for her not getting her license. Since Bada Bings closed the amount of crime on that street has dropped to near 0. Now all the problems come from atlantic ave, not 17th street. Do some research before you blame anyone. I believe she should have a license. The city seemed not to have a problem when they gave her a business license. Now they are asking a state agency to play the bad guy so they don't look so bad. And whether you like it or not, there are definite racial issues here. To believe otherwise just makes you naive. I am the proud owner of the Cave and I will stand behind this bar and their efforts to brighten up 17th street.
something else to think about
Its obivious to me, some of the people who think there are plenty of party destinations Dont Party!!!!! Norfolk has funelled all the clubs to one area SMART???? you have to have Miami if you want to be Ft Lauderdale.....
ABC
the ABC Board says there are no bars in VA, they are restaurants that serve alcohol. That is why all those w/ liquor licenses have to fill out the MBAR report every year showing the alcohol sales do not exceed 55% of the food & non-alcohol sales. What a joke - we all know the clubs don't sell that much in food. And you wonder how the clubs change names so much and keep the liquor licenses? the corporations hold the liquor licenses and therefore transfer from owner to owner. Why don't you revoke the liquor license from the offending bars and allow the high class owners to step in and make a change? If you want to get rid of the trash, you must first get rid of the clubs that are attracting it.
Lets play a little game...
Lets see who can go the longest without mentioning the word "race" or any of its variants .You cant can you ? Noooo ,its always race. White people are never denied any type of license ,permit or approvale are they ? Nope ,its all about race and nothing to do with business or the fact that people have been shot and slashed on that same street numerous times. Dang racists.
Makes you wonder
Have they granted any other establishments a license? I would assume that other businesses also cannot get a license on the oceanfront. When was the last time the city issued one on the front.
Whats up VB?
i just don't understand what the problem is, cc didn't get their pockets lined? cc needs to go and come election time i bet some of them will!
professionals
And they wonder why young educated professionals leave this area immediatelly after graduation, here is another example. There are some people who would love for VA to stay a hick, backwater area or that va beach would've stayed farmland but get over it let's grow and prosper, all the people complaining about all thats happening at the oceanfront probably don't go anyway and definetly aren't spending money!!
Uroma
Your right, if this were a Cheesecake Factory or Outback, the city would have no problem granting a liquor license. This is a restaurant, not a club for goodness sake. Dwayne-I dont think you ve visited the oceanfront in awhile. Its not full of crime like you think. This restaurant would promote nicer dining and evenings out. If you want something better.... move to Portsmouth....
Wow. What a surprise!
Not! VBCC never ceases to amaze. But ya know the up side to all this...look at how Uroma's is responding. Positive attitude and a willingness to make it work despite our incompetent city government. Uroma has determined to not let this be the end all. That says something to me but unfortunately our CC can't see beyond the ends of their own noses. Once again we need leaders that will put the welfare of others above that of their own! Simple leadership 101! I practice it daily and you wouldn't believe what can be accomplished. It appears our Police have the right approach. Uroma has the right management and atmosphere. This CC will hear my voice come election time! Guaran-dam-teed!
Come on Va Beach
This place sounds like a place I would like to go to. I am a local and married with no kids and 30yrs old. I don't go to bars or night clubs. I think a like this what the older crowd needs. A nice classy place where you can be with your significant other being able to enjoy good music and maybe have some food and good drink. Not everyone is going to be 20 and want to hang out at peabodys.
City
This is someone who only trying to start her own business and Virginia Beach City Clowns, have to stop her!! How sad, but what about the Hilton and its fine restaurant-does it have a bar to go with the $75.00 lobster dinner? Can the serve alcohol and if so-why?? Its all about money and power!! Have to hate it here sometimes!!! Wake up Orbendorf-this is not and will never be NYC!!! Let this woman serve alcohol and make a living, like the Hiltons!!
Again councill makes no sense
Just like telling BRAC that they want to limit building in development out of one side of their mouth and then tellling developers go ahead and build all you want out of the other side of their mouth. Shows how hypocritical this cities govt is "Family Friendly must be code for we give council persons prime locations for multiple Dairy Queens. and deny a crucial item as a liquor license to a restaurants success and ability to grow and create jobs and revenue for the city. What if the owners of this restaurant were Cheesecake factory or Outback? Issuing that license wouldn't be an issue. We either want to be a resort city that attracts tourists with good places to wine and dine or we want to be the Pat Roberston image of "Family"! Yeeeech!
Losing the older crowd
Being in the military I understand the weekend party mentality of the tweenty-somethings that dominate the after five population of Virginia Beach. But if the practice of denying new businesses equal opportunity to prosper then that will be the only patronage that the area will start to see. There are several vacation spots within a days drive in the south-east that are much more family oriented. For example Gulf Shores, Alabama with its sugar sand beaches, lot's of eateries that serve alcohol, night clubs, lounges, bars, great southern hospitality and nearly no crime. Compare that to what we have; over crowded beaches, rude people, limited cuisine and a stop sign up for any new business that tries to open. WOW, what a place.
The oceanfront is a dump
There are two places on the beach you can go and not receive the following: a gunshot wound, a black eye, a broken bottle to the throat, attacks by drunken sailors and thugs, ear damage from loud terrible hip hop music, olfactory assault from the smell of vomit and stale beer, dirty looks from cops and locals (I'm local), and bewildered looks from angry overcharged tourists who's kids can't go to sleep because of the loud music;
two places are the first street jetty, because surfers care about the beach, and the 31st Street Hilton. The hilton was the last good decision the council made, and that was against the will of the public.
Va Beach, you will never learn. Those of you that are complaining, you don't vote anyway, losers.
Maybe if she knew someone on the Council!
Sounds like they are trying to punish older & younger black people and also white people who enjoy this type of music. I guess denying them will make the unruly crowd go away. I say take away the license where the irresponsible people go and let this woman bring in a cultural class of music. Maybe if she had an "acceptable name" she would have had her license by now.
Liquor licenses denied, Beach bar turns on the juice
Seems a shame when the people let the city government, especially one who allows law breakers (illegal aliens) to walk AND drive on city streets, finds this establishment unworthy of a liquor license. The ABC board rejected the officer's recommendation, because the "City of VB says that it will only intensify public safety problems confronting police". It is a "tourist" city, live with it. This is what you get when you have people running the city without a passing grade in Economics 101.
This proves....
This sotry proves beyond any doubt that the City of Virginia Beach has and still does consider all of the oceanfront from the water to Birdneck Road "city property" and may only be used for what city officials, (you know, people who couldn't survive on their talents and wits in the private sector) deem "family friendly". As far as the "racisim" comment, I hate to tell you that it wasn't some people's favorite excuse for government stupidity-it was just government stupidity.Greekfest wasn't caused by the city, it was caused by those who rioted and are not welcomed back so we can spend another two million dollars to entertain them so as to prevent looting and destruction of property.