New Waterford Bar: “Like Hooters, Only Classier”

After months of vacancy, 372 Boston Post Road could be rocking again with a business model that hasn’t failed yet: cold beer, massive televisions and plenty of attractive women.

Richard Camerlin, owner of the property (formerly Fire and Ice and Septembers) for the past 30 years, has proposed to turn the building into Wow Sports Bar. The idea is to have three 12-foot projection televisions, along with several smaller LCD models, bar food and good-looking waitresses, he said.

“Wow Sports bar is a sports bar that will be similar to Hooters or Tilted Kilt, only classier,” Camerlin wrote in a business model submitted to the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission. “The three keys to success include but are not limited to having a prime location, hiring attractive waitresses and offering great food and drinks.”

Camerlin’s proposal is currently under review by the commission. He plans to increase the size of the parking lot to 72 spots; such a move requires the commission’s approval.

Camerlin submitted the plans in January, but has still not received approval, and won’t until at least March 14, the commission’s next meeting. The delay has been frustrating, he said.

“It’s like the town doesn’t even want to have it,” he said. “I say what the heck, it would provide employment while it is open and the taxes would go up.”

The bar would bring 40 jobs, Camerlin said. Within one year, the bar would turn a $248,802 profit, according to his business plan.

Franchise?

Camerlin, who lives in North Carolina, has worked in the restaurant industry for 64 years. He started the bar Dial Tone in Connecticut in the 1970s, which would go on to have 12 locations throughout New England.

He is also hoping to turn Wow Sports Bar into a franchise. Each table would have its own speaker, so patrons could listen to the game they wanted to listen to at whatever volume they wanted, he said.

“There is no other place like it in the area,” Camerlin said. “I think people will really like it.”

The bar would be open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day, and hold up to 175 people, he said. The startup cost for somebody else to have the franchise would be $1.25 million, he said.

The planning and zoning commission still has to approve his new design for the parking lot. Camerlin has not fully detailed water runoff for the new site, the commission said.