North Side cafe owners petitioning for liquor license in dry precinct

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A cafe in Youngstown is trying to secure a liquor license to bring more entertainment to the neighborhood.

To do it, Gino and Liz West, the owners of Prepped Wellness Cafe, need the North Side’s help — and soon.

Prepped Wellness is on the corner of Elm and Baldwin. It’s been open since 2021 but has been temporarily closed for the past two months, so the pair could renovate and focus on getting a liquor license.

“We’re hoping to bring a lot of fun new artists and local bands, and you know, yoga and cooking classes and sip and paints are something we’re really excited about,” said Liz West.

A liquor license became available a few years ago but they hit a small bump when the Board of Elections wrote them back, informing them that they are located in a dry precinct.

“So, we’re like ‘Oh, curveball,'” Gino West said.

The Wests need 73 signatures before August 7 to change that. If you’re registered to vote and live within the boundaries, the Wests want you to help.

The precinct boxes in much of the neighborhood between Elm Street and Logan Avenue between Gypsy Lane and Madison Avenue.

“The North Side has supported us so much. We’re really excited to add something to the community,” Liz West said.

There’s a small but growing number of restaurants, cafes and shops on Elm Street all in close proximity to two YSU dorms and a number of apartment buildings.

The Wests want to give the neighborhood somewhere to listen to music, eat brunch or take a cooking class while having a drink.

“The North Side is often overlooked once you kind of get to the freeway past YSU, nobody really ventures up here so we like our little community that we’re creating over here,” said Liz West.

They currently have 18 signatures. If they can get all 73, the Wests hope to be up and running by September at the earliest.

Right now the cafe is dark and full of empty chairs but the Wests picture a busy future.

If you’re a registered voter and live within the boundaries of the precinct, you can sign the petition at Prepped Wellness from 2-8 p.m. this Sunday evening.

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