Clawson Council Suspends Pool Table License at Great Sport Coffee

The Clawson City Council voted Tuesday evening to suspend the pool table license at for 30 days due to a violation of city ordinances.

During a public hearing at , Police Chief Harry Anderson said officers cited Great Sport Coffee in February for allowing alcohol consumption at the business, which goes against state law and city ordinances. The coffee shop does not have a registered liquor license in the state of Michigan. Police said they discovered a glass of beer on a table in the coffee shop on Feb. 17 and that there was also a pack of beer in the refrigerator of the establishment.

City ordinance states that businesses with coin-operated amusement devices cannot store or serve alcohol without a state liquor license.

Renis Nushaj, an attorney for Great Sport Coffee owner Bujar Liti, defended the business in the hearing and asked that the council impose a fine instead of suspending its pool table license. Nushaj said the pool table brings "livelihood" to the coffee shop. He described Great Sport Coffee as a business that sells coffee and pop and charges for pool table use.

The business reflects Mediterranean culture (the owner and many patrons are Albanian) because men gather there to watch soccer, play pool and drink coffee, Nushaj said.

“I would urge you not to revoke his license,” Nushaj said. “This is truly what brings all the clients in. In this business, every dollar counts.”

But the council still voted unanimously for a 30-day suspension.

Some council members voiced concerns with poor service and drinking and smoking inside Great Sport Coffee.

"I've seen smoking in there on numerous, numerous occasions," Councilwoman Kathy Phillips said. Michigan law prohibits smoking in all bars and restaurants except casinos and cigar bars.

Councilman Howie Airriess said he has heard complaints about poor service at the business and that groups that appear drunk when they leave the coffee shop. 

"What is going on in there?" Airriess said during the meeting.

"That should not happen," Nushaj said in response to Airriess' and Phillips' concerns.

The suspension means that Great Sport Coffee employees or patrons will not able to use the pool table during the 30-day period. Airriess said if they are caught playing pool during the suspension, “then the table is gone.”