Michelle Taylor, who with her daughter Mindy King, is opening Gold Mine Cafe, said she hopes to have the business started within a week.
King said there are some modifications which still have to be done.
Mall General Manager Chrish Medicharla said he was pleased council passed the conditional use permit request. “I hope it will bring more people around and open it up to have more business.”
In a May 31 letter to the city, Medicharla said he had no problem if customers use the main entrance and the restrooms after hours.
The mall has its own security from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Taylor and King will have their own security for after hours. The establishment plans to be open from 10 a.m.to 2 a.m.
Roanoke Rapids attorney James Walker represented the Gold Mine owners during a public hearing on the permit. He said the material presented by the city was well organized. “On behalf of the applicants, I feel like they’ve done a good job of getting organized.”
Walker confirmed the owner’s intent to have their own security inside the business during regular mall hours and to have after-hours security.as well as security outside.
He said there was no intent to use the mall’s emergency doors and agreed with a suggestion by police Chief Chuck Hasty to use only one of the mall’s main entrances. “The goal is to provide adequate security.”
Walker told council Taylor obtained insurance and an insurance binder. “Mall management is satisfied it will be a viable business for the mall.”
With news of J.C. Penney closing reported earlier this year and news of JustSave closing reported last week, Walker described Taylor and King as local entrepreneurs. “She and her daughter want the opportunity to expand business potential.”
With approval, Walker said, there is the potential the mall doesn’t fall into disrepair.
There will be no alcohol sold and admission is for those 18 and up. They will serve coffee and snacks.
Taylor said she was OK with a 10 a.m. opening time. “Ten would be fine,” she said, “Not to have the 2 a.m. option would hurt our business.”
Hasty said he had no problems with the hours of operations. “Others serve 24 hours a day. I don’t see any issues.”