Gardena : Lounge Permit Denied

By unanimous vote, the City Council has rejected a permit application for a cocktail lounge in the new Tozai Center at Western Avenue and Redondo Beach Boulevard.

Although nine lessees have already been granted approval for alcohol service in the two-story, 40,650-square-foot shopping complex, council members noted that all those establishments include food service.

Moon Kyeong Koh, who applied for the permit, was the only lessee requesting a cocktail lounge at the center, said City Manager Ken Landau.

Council members contended that the cocktail lounge would pose a potential hazard for the community. “Even though alcoholic beverages will be served in restaurants, people are more likely to become drunk at a cocktail lounge,” Mayor Donald Dear said.