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expensive learning process and for the first few months, they try to figure out what days <br /> they are going to be busy and what works to get the demographic out there. He added <br /> that they could initially overstaff the place because they do not want people to come in <br /> and have to wait an hour to get their food; they want the people to keep coming back. <br /> He noted that the key to a successful restaurant is the repeat business; without it, the <br /> restaurant would be done in six months. <br /> Commissioner Olson noted that it was his sense that the difficulties that came about <br /> with the former business were essentially caused by the theme of the place, which drew <br /> and unsavory crowd. He indicated that the business owners were going to change the <br /> theme, and the Commission put a lower occupancy level in place; but that apparently <br /> did not work out. <br /> Mr. DeBlasi noted that it was a music format theme, hip-hop, as he mentioned earlier. <br /> He stated that the problem is, if the place offers a certain theme, especially hip-hop, it <br /> invites a whole bunch of people to come over as there is nobody else in Northern <br /> California that caters to the hip-hop community. He indicated that they are lucky to <br /> have time on their side because the time they re-open, they are not opening as a <br /> hip-hop place. He indicated that they are more of a margaritaville, and the chance of <br /> that demographic coming back again to come and eat four-foot burritos and break <br /> pinatas is very unlikely. He added that he does not see any threat and does not plan to <br /> have any of their DJ's or to do anything to invite them to come. <br /> Vice Chair Pearce noted that Mr. DeBlasi mentioned bottle-service, but there is no <br /> mention of that in the narrative. She asked Mr. DeBlasi if he is planning to have bottle <br /> service and how that is going to operate. <br /> Mr. DeBlasi said yes. He indicated that, for example, he would like to serve bottles to <br /> the local bridge and tunnel crowd that goes out here for the last 20 years on a <br /> Wednesday or Thursday night. He stated that there is more markup in it and it's <br /> actually more controlled because there is a bottle-service person who pours the drink <br /> for them, keeps an eye on it, and keeps everything clean. He added that there is one <br /> bottle-service person for every three tables to keep it well-monitored. <br /> Vice Chair Pearce inquired if the situation is where the patrons purchase the bottles in <br /> advance and then the bottles come to the table, if they have access to the bottle, and if <br /> they can pour their own drink. <br /> Mr. DeBlasi replied that the patrons are not told that they are not allowed to pour for <br /> themselves but the service is so good that they don't need to do that. <br /> Vice Chair Pearce noted that with a typical bar situation, the bartender cuts off those <br /> who have had too much to drink. She inquired how, with a bottle service situation <br /> where the patrons pre-pay for the bottle, they have typically in the past managed the <br /> situation if people become overly intoxicated. <br /> PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, February 27, 2013 Page 13 of 22 <br />