Update: Company Looks to Expand to Stow, Needs Liquor License

Last updated: June 8 2:58 p.m.: The original version of this story incorrectly reported that the Akron-based Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. was looking to expand in Stow. Click here for the correction.

Thirsty?

Thirsty Dog Grille and Brewery wants to quench Stow's literal and new business thirst by moving to a vacant building — but only if it can collect the required signatures needed to get a liquor license put on the November ballot and passed.

Pam Lauter, petitioner representing the company, said that the new, full-service bar and grill is looking to open at 1063 Graham Rd. where Bob's Big Boy once operated.

"[Thirsty Dog] will be doing a lot of dog events and fundraisers in the parking lot where people can bring their dogs," Lauter said. "They're looking to make a $1 million investment in Stow. It's not just going to be a restaurant."

But until that can happen, Lauter said she needs to get about 200 signatures from those living in Ward 4, Precinct A to get on the ballot.

She said that the majority of voters in that ward live in Heron Springs and that she's had difficulty with the residents so far.

"I've been walking around that area for awhile, and it seems people don't want to come to their doors," Lauter said. "We just need cooperation from the residents."

Lauter will have a signing event Tuesday, June 7 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Heron Springs. She will be stationed at the mailboxes for any registered Stow voters interested in getting the license on the ballot.

"The restaurant will employ almost 100 people," Lauter said, but "we need the signatures. If we don't have [at least 140] signatures by June 15, the deal's off. We can't let that happen."

Economic Development Coordinator Mike Weddle says that the city of Stow's administration is also on board with getting this initiative passed.

"We encourage residents in that ward to consider signing the petition," Weddle said. "The benefits to the city would be that Thirsty Dog would take advantage of a currently underutilized piece of real estate, it would create additional jobs and, given the location, it would serve as an attraction to the city."

If all goes according to plan, Thirsty Dog will be ready to open by January 1, 2012. Architectural plans are already in place.

For more information or to help with the petition, call Pam Lauter at 216-409-2556. Residents can also call that number to set up an appointment to sign the petition on Saturday with Lauter.