Collegiate Times

New management and a new vision are in place at Abella Cafe, which occupies the building formerly known as Oge-Chi's.

Ownership has not changed, but Assistant Manager Matt Renninger said the purpose of the establishment is vastly different. The establishment has dropped its function as a nightclub.

"That's, for the most part, completely gone," Renninger said. "We will still have special events, but the weekly nightclub is gone."

Instead of operating a nightclub, the restaurant will now focus on serving and delivering Italian food, including pastas and pizzas.

"The restaurant is open six days a week, with a full menu open for delivery," Renninger said.

The hours are different, but still very friendly to the night owls. Food will be served or delivered from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. The restaurant is open Tuesday-Sunday.

John Hodinicki, formerly of Anthony's Pizza, has been added to the management staff.

The outside of the building is now labeled Abella but inside construction is still ongoing.

Renninger said they have added new pool tables and dartboards, and hope to attract competitive leagues to play in the establishment.

Oge-Chi's license to serve mixed drinks was revoked in April, as the restaurant made only 12 percent of its revenue from food sales. Establishments are required to make 45 percent of revenue from food sales to retain a license.

However, Renninger said they hope to regain the license with the new focus of the restaurant.

"We will reapply for a new mixed beverages license with new management and a new business plan," Renninger said.

Chris Goodman, special agent in charge for region one of the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, said it is difficult to change a business drastically enough to regain and retain the license, but it is possible.

"You don't see it very often," Goodman said. "There was one example here in Roanoke. This establishment was so successful in dramatically changing the nature of their business and who they catered to, we said 'You know what, we'll give you another chance.' That is one of the very few times I have seen that happen."

Goodman said changing the focus of the restaurant is the key element of regaining the license.

"What I'm going to be looking for is a new business model, a new business plan," Goodman said.

He said Abella Cafe does not gain a noticeable advantage because of its name change.

"Just simply changing the trade name in itself, no that's not going to effect our evaluation," Goodman said.

He said all establishments are scrutinized carefully, but some extra care may go into dealing with those that have had licenses revoked in the past. A restaurant can reapply for their mixed beverage license at any time.

"Typically, as a standard course, there is no period of time they would be required to wait," Goodman said.