North Kingstown
Red Rock reissued license after sprinklers installed
01:53 PM EDT on Friday, August 4, 2006
NORTH KINGSTOWN -- The Red Rock Bar & Grill, closed by the Town Council because of safety concerns, reopened last week.
Patrons probably won't notice the new $40,000 sprinkler system required by state law.
They may not recognize the decor, either.
During the two-week closing, the owners changed the seating, switched to brighter colors, bought new televisions and added a game room with pool tables, air hockey and a basketball hoop.
Eventually the owners will replace the restaurant's traditional menu with pub-style fare, to reflect the new look, said co-owner Ken Mosher. The game room opens today; a grand reopening is scheduled for Sunday.
The closing hurt. Workers spent a week looking for the town water line, and the business lost several thousand dollars a day in missed sales, Mosher said.
"The town gave us an opportunity to do something we've wanted to do for some time," Mosher said. "Unfortunately, we had to do it while we were closed -- and losing money."
On July 10, the Town Council voted to withdraw licenses for the Red Rock Bar & Grill and the American Bar & Grille, both on Post Road.
Last week -- following an inspection by Fire Marshall Gordon Walsh -- town officials reissued an alcohol, food and amusement license to the Red Rock.
The All-American Bar and Grille, however, remains closed.
Council members last month said owner Angelo J. Renzi was late in repairing the kitchen after water damage forced the owners to use a microwave to cook sandwiches. Renzi also failed to move quickly to install a sprinkler system since the adoption of new state fire codes in 2004, the council said.
Renzi, in turn, accused of the council of selectively enforcing town laws. His lawyer, John J. Kupa Jr., has appealed the council's decision to the state Department of Business Regulation.
According to the appeal, Renzi last year installed an expensive fire-alarm system and has submitted a plan for a sprinkler system to Walsh. Kupa yesterday declined to comment on the matter.
The All-American includes two bars, a stage, a dance floor and pool tables.
On July 18, the state Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review granted Renzi a time variance "to correct all remaining fire code deficiencies" prior to the reopening of the business.
| H1N1 and Pets: Felines, Ferrets and Flu | |
| Barrington's affordable housing puts opportunities within reach for mother, daughter | |
| Police seize large quantity of marijuana in Woonsocket |
More North Kingstown stories
N. Kingstown voters OK sewer-system installation
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan says he is monitoring R.I. reform efforts
Most Viewed Yesterday
No driver’s license? For many, no problem
Some immigrants in Central Falls are afraid to give info to the government
PC 91, Stonehill 55: Peterson gets a lot done
Most active surveys
What's your favorite breakfast/lunch place?
Are the Yankees on the brink of another dynasty?
React to Carcieri's veto of R.I.'s first saltwater fishing license
Will you allow your children to be vaccinated against swine flu? Why or why not?
Is it a bad thing or a good thing that prostitution is legal in Rhode Island, indoors?
Most e-mailed in the last 24 hours
Reader Reaction









You must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register Now!
You are logged in as screenname | Log Out
You are logged in, but do not have a "screen" name. Create a Screen Name