Indo Fusion Receives Liquor License from Novi City Council

The Novi City Council granted one of its four remaining liquor licenses to , a restaurant located in , at its meeting Monday night.

Indo Fusion has been open in Novi for seven months and serves Goan cuisine, which is a mixture of Portuguese and Indian. The business is family-owned by a brother and sister.

Council members agreed that the restaurant was a unique enough business that it is deserving of a license; the council is careful about granting its remaining licenses because the city is only allowed to give out a certain number of them based on the city's population.

To receive a license, the city asks applicants to demonstrate that the business would provide a good or service that is not presently available in the city or that is unique to the city, that the business would foster economic growth or development, and that the business represents an added financial investment by a long-term business or resident with ties to the city.

Council member Andrew Mutch said he would be happy to grant the license and support the business to help it succeed.

"We always seem to find some reason not to grant these licenses, and then we sit on these licenses, and I understand we don't want to give them away willy-nilly, but at a certain point you're just sitting on licenses and you're not utilizing them and that's to the detriment to our business community and ultimately to our community as a whole," Mutch said.

Less than two months ago, council for an Irish pub that is hoping to open in Fountain Walk.

Novi Mayor Bob Gatt said that coming into the meeting, he was planning on voting against granting the license to Indo Fusion for consistency, but said he was convinced by the petitioner that the business is something unique to Novi.

"This is going to add some benefits to the city that only he can bring," Gatt said.

Gatt also said this situation was different than their most recently denied request because this restaurant is not a chain. He also said the liquor license is needed to help the business succeed, since it is in an area near several other restaurants with licenses.

Owner Jason Noronha said 70 to 80 percent of his customers request liquor when they dine at his business.

Council member Terry Margolis, who admitted that she is usually very picky with granting the licenses, was in full support of giving one to Indo Fusion. She also gave kudos to the business for having spent time investing in the city before asking for a license.

"We hope to help you stay here as long as you can," Margolis said.