Prospective bar owner hopes to change establishments’ image

The prospective owner of three Carbondale bars said Monday he does not plan to make major changes if city officials approve the transfer of liquor licenses.

Robert Delre, a security consultant for Stix, Callahans Irish Pub and Cali’s, said he would purchase the business rights to the three establishments from owner Greg Knoob for $350,000. Delre said he would enter a lease agreement with Knoob for the properties on South Illinois and Grand Avenues.

Apart from advertising the three bars more frequently, Delre said he has been concerned about the three establishments’ dress code for customers and the system to prevent underage drinking.

Delre said he is concerned about inheriting Knoob’s reputation with the city, but wants to do what he can to build his own name.

“I fully intend to comply as much as possible,” he said. “I am concerned that Greg’s name is going to carry over to me and the things they gave him a hard time about they are also going to give me a hard time about. Obviously, that would be anyone’s concern in my position.”

In December, Mayor Brad Cole and the Local Liquor Control Commission imposed a $1,000 fine on Knoob for failure to prevent illegal activities, such as cannabis posession, public drinking and fighting in Callahan’s parking lot. Knoob responded by filing a federal lawsuit against Cole and the city claiming the commission’s actions violated his civil rights.

Knoob, who could not be reached for comment, said in a Jan. 11 Daily Egyptian report he believed he was being chased out of the city but still planned on owning the properties.

Earlier this month the Liquor Advisory Board recommended the city liquor licenses for the three bars be transferred from Knoob to Delre. The issue still needs approval from the liquor commission.

Councilman Joel Fritzler, who also serves on the commission, said he would not be heart-broken if Knoob took his business out of Carbondale because his record has not been impressive.

Though he would not speculate on how he would vote on the license transfer, Councilman Steven Haynes said the board’s recommendation is usually an indicator for how the commission will react.

“The feelings of the council is we want prosperous business,” Haynes said. “I just hope the new owner will be diligent in seeking a relationship with the city.”

Delre said he hopes to meet with members of the Secretary of State Police, who inspect bars for underage drinking violations, and the Carbondale Police Department to discuss what he can do to keep trouble out of Carbondale.

“It’s all about being safe,” he said. “If I can have my establishment be a safe place where people can go and have fun and not have to worry about anything, well, so be it.”

Daily Egyptian reporter Barton Lorimor can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 263 or barton.lorimor@siude.com