Campanella’s Restaurant on Oaklawn Avenue can reopen with a liquor license. A lounge’s request to stay open until 2 a.m. on three September dates was denied. A proposed ordinance requiring council approval of city contracts over $100,000 remains unvoted and must be advertised first.
Cranston’s Safety Services and License Committee on Monday approved a new Class BV liquor license for DNC Inc., doing business as Campanella’s Restaurant on Oaklawn Avenue, and the full City Council ratified it at a special meeting later the same evening, according to the Cranston City Council’s published meeting recording.
Attorney Robert Murray, appearing for the applicant, told the committee the restaurant’s earlier owners sold the business in 2024, the successor owner ended up in receivership, and his clients have reacquired the assets and plan to reopen. He said they have 20 years of experience holding a liquor license, and that the application met the requirements including good-standing certificates, TIPS certification, insurance, and a health department sign-off last week. Asked about the 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. hours, Murray said the restaurant typically closes at 9:30 and that they would return to the committee if that changed. The committee approved the license by roll call, along with the companion victualling license, and the council approved it by roll call at the special meeting. One councilmember said during that vote that he had been a frequent customer and was excited to have the restaurant back.
Extended hours request denied
The committee denied a new extended-hours license sought for Zona Lounge for three event dates, September 18, 19 and 20. Councilmember Andy M. Andujar said he placed the item on the agenda for fundraising events benefiting four organizations, and that a 2 a.m. closing was requested because an out-of-state DJ and band might not arrive until after midnight. He said extra security would be provided and the establishment was willing to pay for a police detail…