John O’Brien has appealed the Ohio Division of Liquor Control’s denial of his application for a liquor permit for Abbey at Locust Street Ltd., his operation at the former St. Bernadette’s Church in Masury. A hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 8 in Columbus.
O’Brien has said he wants to open the building as a banquet center.
Brookfield trustees, acting at the recommendation of Police Chief Dan Faustino, opposed O’Brien getting a liquor license, and the division held a hearing March 26. At that hearing, Faustino and Sgt. Aaron Kasiewicz testified about two incidents in 2021 that resulted in O’Brien’s convictions on misdemeanor charges of assault and disorderly conduct.
In an order dated May 21, Division of Liquor Control Supt. Jacqueline DeGenova said O’Brien’s request for a liquor license was denied because the criminal convictions “relate to his fitness to operate a liquor establishment.”
Speaking of the order, O’Brien, who did not testify at the hearing, said, “There’s discrepancies in it. There’s errors in how it was reported to the liquor department.”
He said he has talked to business entities interested in operating from the building. “They’re waiting to hear about my liquor license.”
