116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Downtown Iowa City bar the Summit getting new owner
IOWA CITY – The City Council on Tuesday will consider a liquor license request from the proposed new owner of the Summit Restaurant and Bar.
Christopher “Topher” Wanek of Des Moines said his purchase of the downtown establishment, 10 S. Clinton St., will be finalized once a liquor license is approved.
Jann Ream, the city's code enforcement assistant, found 15 code violations during an inspection earlier this month and recommended the City Council deny the liquor license. But most of the problems were minor, and the city and Wanek said they were fixed and the bar passed another inspection Thursday.
The Summit has been owned by Mike Porter, who frequently clashed with the city. The Summit and two other Porter establishments filed for bankruptcy last year. Police Chief Sam Hargadine, citing Porter's financial problems, recommended the council
deny the Summit's liquor license application in December, but the council delayed taking action because of the bankruptcy proceedings.
Leah Cohen, right, owner of the Bo-James in downtown Iowa City, hugs Mike Porter, owner of the Summit, after it was announced Nov. 6, 2007, that voters had struck down a proposed ordinance that would have prohibited anyone under 21 from entering Iowa City bars after 10 p.m., outside the Summit. (AP Photo)
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