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After a lengthy discussion, the Bangor Village Board awarded a Class B Combined Liquor License to Bruce’s Place at its June 10 meeting.

The license for the former Chips Bar is due to expire at the end of this month and two parties expressed interest in obtaining it: building owner Richard Chapiewsky and Bruce Wavra, owner of Bruce’s Place.

Chapiewsky told the board he is currently trying to sell the building and that a liquor license would make it more attractive to buyers. He noted that he’d been in business in Bangor for 25 years and involved with the community as the fire chief, and with the Lions Club and the VFW.

“It’s going to look bad if there’s another empty bar on that street,” Chapiewsky said.

Complicating the matter is the fact that any additional Class B Combined licenses would be beyond the number allotted for Bangor and will cost $10,000

“No one’s going to buy that bar if the liquor license does not come with it,” acting board President Dan Hesse said.

Wavra explained that he was looking to expand his business and the liquor license would allow him to do that. He argued that it would be unfair to make him — as the owner of business hoping to expand — pay $10,000 for a license while the building down the street was given a license even though it was not being used.

He added that he employs local people and would employ more once the business expanded. One of Wavra’s employees, Ellen Steele, stood up to speak in his favor, emphasizing that the business was a nonsmoking, family friendly restaurant that was good for the village.

Wavra’s arguments apparently won over the board as they voted to award him the Class B license, with Hesse casting the only vote against.