Restaurant at Kennedy to Open by Week's End Despite Security Concerns, No Liquor License

A new restaurant at is expected to have a soft opening Thursday evening despite security concerns and no liquor lisence according to Ron Marcissuk, a managing member of the restaurant group that owns the restaurant.

Marcissuk said he expects to open as early as Thursday or Friday, though the restaurant will not receive a liquor license for at least three to four weeks.

Trenton city council members expressed growing concerns over security issues at a study session Monday night with representatives of the .

Councilman Robert Howey said he and other council members want to know how the building, including the ice rink and lobby area on the first floor, will be secured during both normal business hours and after normal hours for the Kennedy Recreation Center.

“When you have that open corridor there I’m sure it’s going to be pretty challenging,” Howey said.

The restaurant allows access to patrons along a long hallway opposite the suites on the second floor of the recreation center. Patrons do not have to enter the restaurant through a door. However, patrons must access the second floor through a door or through an elevator.

Office hours for the arena are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, though the arena is often open to patrons before and after office hours. The restaurant, Legends 1926 Bar & Grill, will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday, 7 a.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Construction on the restaurant is complete and the restaurant group had no intentions of building additional security measures according to Linda Mayer, an attorney representing the group.

She added the plans for the restaurant were approved by the city’s previous administration.

A portion of the contract between the city and the restaurant group states the restaurant group shall, “at its cost and expense, erect lockable gates and provide personnel who will provide security within the interior of the facility” during open and closed hours.

Mayor Kyle Stack said she was impressed and amazed with the new facility, but is concerned that people at the restaurant might wander into the arena and/or people in the arena might wander into the restaurant while the entities are closed.

Marcissuk said the restaurant has video surveillance and is monitored by a centrally monitored alarm system.

He added he does not anticipate a problem with security.

“This isn’t a night club,” Marcissuk said. “This is just like going to Mr. Nick’s or Jersey’s. This is not a crazy off-the-wall environment. The premise is secured. We installed what we thought were good security measures.”

City Administrator Jim Wagner said the property needs to be secured and the restaurant group agreed to address the issues with security.

“They’re exploring different avenues to secure that (arena) and we’re working to develop something on a temporary basis,” Wagner said.

Check back with Trenton Patch for more information on this story.