[toc]Many assumed awhile ago that TEN Atlantic City would not be re-opening on Presidents’ Day as promised. Now, the news is official.
TEN owner Glenn Straub acknowledged his property lacks the proper permits to be operational. He said he will need more time before officially reopening for the first time since its doors closed branded as Revel back in 2014.
Liquor licenses hindering TEN AC opening
On Friday, Straub acknowledged the opening date would not happen. He says the reason for the hold-up is because the property’s bars and restaurants are lacking liquor licenses.
“Who wants to stay in a hotel and eat at a restaurant that doesn’t have liquor? Once we get that, we can open within 24 hours. The state is holding up everything. We are waiting on them,” Straub told the Press of Atlantic City.
This is where Straub’s story differs from city and state officials.
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Regulators, TEN AC don’t see eye to eye
Dale Finch, the city director of licensing and inspection, said his office had sent TEN the applications for a mandatory mercantile license. None of the restaurants and spas have had health inspections yet, either.
Finch insists the city is ready to assist TEN get open as quickly as possible. Straub, on the other hand, says the issue is not the property. The issue is the city.
Straub is confident TEN can be open for business within 24 hours of obtaining liquor licenses. His words are best taken with a grain of salt though. In his past attempts to open the property, he has promised a reopening but failed to obtain basic things like elevator permits.
No casino license, either, for TEN
Permits are also the issue why TEN currently has no immediate plans to offer gambling. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission ruled Straub would need to obtain a casino license in order for TEN to reopen Revel’s gaming floor.
This would seem normal procedure, but the point of contention is that Straub simply plans on leasing the gaming space the same way he is leasing the spa space, retail shops and restaurants. Because his role is more like a landlord than a proprietor, he thinks a casino license is not necessary.
The NJCCC disagrees. Straub says he plans to appeal the decision in court. He also may have a legislative solution soon. Sen. Ray Lesniak recently proposed a bill that would allow landlords of casinos to forgo getting a casino license.
Before Straub thinks about how to get the casino open, the primary concern is simply opening the doors. Straub promises 24 hours, but there is still a large fence around the property and few signs of life.