New deal could allow alcohol on gaming floor of Turning Stone
Story Created:
Apr 8, 2010 at 12:18 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Apr 8, 2010 at 5:21 PM EDT
VERONA, N.Y. (WKTV) - On Thursday, the owners of The Beeches of Rome announced a new company called "CD Food & Beverage, Inc."
The company also announced a new partnership with the Turning Stone Resort & Casino - a partnership that includes CD Food & Beverage leasing restaurant and hospitality space from Turning Stone. Turning Stone will be providing labor, management and marketing services to the new venture, a press release said.
CD Food and Beverage is named after the late Chris Destito, who worked out the initial deal between The Beeches and the Turning Stone Resort and Casino for third-party catering licenses. Destito died earlier this year of cancer.
Under the new partnership, CD Food & Beverage will provide dining and beverage services throughout all of the guest areas at Turning Stone, including restaurants, hotel rooms, the Event Center and Showroom, the golf courses and clubhouses, and the gaming floor.
Alcohol is currently not allowed on the gaming floor at Turning Stone.
Assemblyman David Townsend often objects to any Oneida Indian Nation business that is conducted but does not return any sales tax. However, since this new agreement will force CD Food and Beverage to pay sales tax, the Assemblyman seems a little more understanding.
"If they (CD Food & Beverage) are going to collect and remit sales tax and the state liquor authority okays it, then it's okay with me too. However, there is also a liability issue. It's more than just getting a license," Townsend said.
However, Townsend did say this agreement means the Oneida Indian Nation is circumventing the sales tax process with food and beverages. The Assemblyman suggested the Oneida Indian Nation use the same method with their SavOn Gas Stations, and allow a local fuel company to sell gas.
Oneida County Executive, Anthony Picente, said he is also on board with the new agreement. Picente calls the deal a win-win for the county and for two local businesses.
"It creates what I talked about in terms of a relationship that can occur when two sides work together to resolve some of these issues," Picente said. "Although this is a business-to-business relationship, it is good news for the county, it does create that revenue stream."
Creation of the partnership is subject to the New York State Liquor Authority's issuance of a liquor license to CD Food & Beverage.
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