Is Ironton Hills going to get a new tenant soon?

Published 12:00 am Sunday, October 12, 2003

A new business may be coming to Ironton but the details are shrouded in secrecy, creating a number of rumors.

The Ironton City Council received a copy Thursday of an application for a new liquor license within the city, but no one really knew for what type of business.

Chairman Jesse Roberts said a hearing will be requested to discuss the application.

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The Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Liquor Control issued the application to Cronacher Hill, LLC on Sept. 29.

for a liquor license at 1001-A, Ironton Hills Drive - the former Ames building.

Roland T. Gilbert of Columbus is listed as the president Cronacher Hill.

When contacted by phone Thursday night, the 73-year-old Gilbert declined to answer any questions about the business or his plans in Ironton at this time, saying only that they, "are still in the planning stages."

A rumor circulating around town is that the individuals plan to open a "gentlemen's" club.

When contacted again Saturday, Gilbert said that this is absolutely not true.

"We have no intention of putting in a strip club," he said. "I would have nothing to do with that."

Gilbert again declined to answer any further questions about the company, his plans or any other businesses that he may own.

A representative for the Division of Liquor Control said Friday that the application is pending a background check on the applicant and indicated that Cronacher Hill does not have any other liquor permits in the state.

The owner of the building, Bill Trembley, did not return several messages.

Ironton's Economic Development Director Matt Ward said that the issue was not a total surprise to him, although he did not know anyone had filed for a liquor license.

"I do know that the mayor, myself and Mr. Trembley have been working on a larger project that involves the shopping area," Ward said. "My understanding is that this is the first step towards the big picture of completing the whole project."

Overall, this situation is not that unusual because most businesses are very private with their plans and don't want to reveal to much information to soon, Ward said.