John O’Brien has withdrawn his request for a liquor license but is proceeding with his plan to open an event center in the former St. Bernadette’s Church in Masury.

“Although we had a strong case, we no longer have the need for a permit,” O’Brien said.

Brookfield Township and Trumbull County opposed the issuance of the liquor license based on O’Brien’s two misdemeanor convictions in 2021. Ohio Division of Liquor Control decided in May not to issue the license because the convictions “relate to his (O’Brien’s) fitness to operate a liquor establishment.” O’Brien appealed but announced in January that he was withdrawing the appeal.

O’Brien publicly disclosed his plan to open the event center in December 2022 and shortly thereafter Ferrara’s at the Abbey, a pizza shop, opened in the basement. The liquor license was meant to contribute to the growth potential of Ferrara so it could move from a take-out only establishment to a sit-down restaurant, O’Brien said. Ferrara’s closed last year.

“Since they are no longer operating, the permit is not required for our current operations,” O’Brien said.

The liquor license would have created additional costs for permits, reports, taxes and employees, he said.

“This will keep our costs more competitive for users of the facility,” he said.

When asked if he will have to turn away events at which the customers want to serve alcohol, O’Brien said, “We’re still putting the business entity together and finalizing that.”

O’Brien said he hopes to be “fully operational” and “ready to book” in March.

The church’s location near major highways and the upcoming closing of Tiffany’s Event Center in Brookfield – Brookfield Board of Education has bought the Tiffany’s building for career-technical education and a community center – creates “an opportunity for local residents as well as outside communities to come to the area,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien said he is undertaking a minor interior renovation of the building, which will be able to hold 80 people, and would like to build a gazebo and other outside amenities to cater to potential clients.