Berkley City Council OK's Liquor License Transfer to Vinsetta Garage

The Berkley City Council approved the ownership transfer of a liquor license from a business in Clinton Township to the Vinsetta Garage property on Woodward Avenue during its meeting Monday night at .

The license will allow Vinsetta Garage – formerly an auto repair shop – to serve beer, wine and liquor when it reopens late during the first quarter as a restaurant co-owned by Autoweek vice president and publisher KC Crain and restaurateur Curt Catallo. The added one stipulation: The restaurant cannot offer beer to go, as the Resort Class C license permits.

However, patrons will be permitted to buy wine by the case, as well as cork and carry bottles purchased but not fully consumed on the premises, Catallo said.

"We totally understand and appreciate the restriction," Catallo said.

"In a way, the restriction makes our job a lot easier also," he said in reference to maintaining order during events such as the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Catallo said the restaurant's wine list will include selections from Michigan vintners and its beer and liquor selections also will be as regional as possible.

"We're big fans of Michigan beer and are very involved with (Kid Rock's American) Badass (Beer)," he said. The brew is made for the rocker by Michigan Brewing Company, in Webberville.

While the new Berkley eatery will offer alcohol, Catallo said it will be a family-friendly establishment.

"If you keep the kids happy, you keep everybody happy," he said. "It's going to be a place without pretense and the food's going to be the same way."

In August, Crain told Berkley Patch that being served at Vinsetta Garage.

"I'm thrilled to have this restaurant going in – partially because it's walking distance from my house," Councilwoman Lisa Platt Auensen said with a smile Monday night, but also because it will ease residents' fears about the historic property's fate.

Catallo told the council that there will be few changes to the building's exterior.

"We know this is very important to not only Berkley and Detroit, but to the region," said Catallo, who noted was the oldest east of the Mississippi.

"We're excited," he said. "It's going to be groovy."

Those who would like to submit an application to work at Vinsetta Garage can contact Catallo's other two restaurants – the Clarkston Union Bar & Kitchen (248-620-6100) or the Union Woodshop (248-625-5660) – for more information.

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