Notoweega News

Business relocates despite building code violations

BY DEBRA TOBIN Logan Daily News Reporter This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LOGAN — Red Door Internet Café & Arcade has relocated from its Spring Street location to 54 E. Main St., with plans to reopen in two weeks.

However, with pending code violations on the building and a stop work order placed on the front door by Logan Fire Chief Brian Robertson, the opening may be delayed.

Robertson said he acted on a tip that renovations were being made to the inside of the building without the proper permits in place from the state.

“He’s making changes to the inside of the building without state approved plans,” Robertson said Wednesday after placing the stop work order on the door.

“It’s a violation to do any construction or alterations of a building in the state of Ohio without the proper permits or state approved plans,” he continued, explaining the need for the order. Dancing Elk, Native American owner of the new Red Door Café & Arcade, is sub-leasing the building from David Weber Jr., who in turn leases the building from owner Mike Nihiser of Logan.

With a two week window for opening the new business, Dancing Elk said he will do everything in his power to make sure all code violations have been taken care of and the building and business has all its permits as required by the city and state.

When asked if he knew there were pending fire code violations on the building for change of use and occupancy, Dancing Elk replied "no comment."

When asked if he told Nihiser about relocating his business to the Main Street address, he also had no comment.

“We will take it one step at a time and I will deal with the issues as they arise,” he said when told of the building violations.

Following a public records request, The Logan Daily News obtained information about eight building violations from the Ohio Department of Commerce. Nihiser stated that to his knowledge there are no other violations pending, but records indicate that on Aug. 25. a notice of violation was filed by the state.

According to the notice, the building is in violation of the fire code for change of use and occupancy. A reinspection is scheduled for Sept. 25 to determine if the violations have been corrected. Dancing Elk says he would like to open an adult Internet café and later a family-oriented arcade. Along

with the renovations and expansion of the business, Dancing Elk said jobs will be created. With another new business on Main Street, it will help draw people to the downtown area where it is needed, he added.

“I have complied with all the laws and I’m an upstanding citizen of the community despite the opposing forces placed in the way because we’re doing something different," he said. "The town now has the unique opportunity to welcome a new business to draw future tourists to the area when others are moving out of the downtown area.”

Dancing Elk said all rules will be strictly enforced and no one under the age of 18 will be permitted inside the Internet café. Those visiting the café will be able to purchase Internet time and also have the opportunity to win prizes.

The name Red Door is significant to the Native American reference to the Red Road. It is a concept of the right path of life, as inspired by some of the beliefs found in a variety of Native American spiritual teachings. Native American’s spiritual teachings are diverse, and while there are sometimes common elements, the ceremonies and beliefs are unique to the people of the diverse bands, tribes and nations.

Dancing Elk said he is thankful and welcomes the community’s support of not only the Red Door Internet Café & Arcade, but also Mingo Trading Company.

Login to post comments
Downloadhttp://bigtheme.net/joomla Joomla Templates