Civil engineer Brian Pratt (third from left, facing forward) reviews with Berlin Planning Board members proposed plans for a Revo Casino and Social House in the city. In the rear to Pratt's right is casino developer Stefan Huba. (Lisa D. Connell photo)
BERLIN — Conceptual or non-binding plans for a charitable gaming casino at the former Northland Dairy Bar were shown to planning board members Tuesday night, along with the next steps proposed to become the sixth location of Revo Casino and Social House in New Hampshire.
“We’re hopeful that everyone is excited that it will be reused and reactivated,” said civil engineer Brian Pratt, of Manchester-based Fuss & O’Neill.
As earlier reported in the Sun in September 2023, the New Hampshire Group purchased the former restaurant at 1826 Riverside Drive and the abutting two-story building at 1842 Riverside Drive from Berlin Dairy Co. and Northland’s Finest Ice Cream for $1.1 million, according to city assessing records.
The Aug. 4 presentation was in advance of another meeting with the planning board in September, when a formal application for a charitable gaming site with an indoor restaurant is expected to be made before the board.
Details for the exterior of 1826 Riverside Drive as presented include changing the parking pattern to head-in instead of angled parking, extending the sidewalk, renovating the parking lot surface and making stormwater improvements. Landscaping would be upgraded. The building itself would get a new roof and siding, and decks would be rebuilt for a “total renovation of the interior and exterior,” said Pratt.
Descriptions presented are “conceptual — not too in the weeds,” Pratt said.
Improvement of safety and aesthetics are key to the proposal. The entrances to and from the building will be ADA compliant.
“We know this was a really beloved restaurant. We’re sorry it’s not there,” he said.
But what could be there is a 42-seat restaurant with delicious food, 14 bar seats and security checks at the bar so that a person not old enough to legally drink or play a game of chance could sit and have a meal.
Estimates include 69 to 72 parking spots and $1.4 million in annual charitable donations to go to local charities or non-profits in the region. Seventy to 80 jobs are expected to be created, ranging the gamut of gaming itself, operational management and hospitality.
A discussion of including electric vehicle charging spots at the site came from planning board member Clarence Sawyer, who Zoomed into the night meeting in Berlin from Japan, where it was early in the morning.
Planning board member Jeffrey Quackenbush asked about installing solar panels on the roof to help with utility costs.
“It will be another entertainment opportunity,” said Huba, going on to say that a charitable gaming site would attract other businesses and entertainment.
Opening hours may be 8 or 10 a.m., with closing later on Friday and Saturday, such as 1 a.m. No other weekday closing times were mentioned.
Noted during the presentation was that the concerns or fears of what the Revo Casino and Social House in Conway would bring have not materialized, such as the seamier side of life.
The New Hampshire Group also earlier purchased the Northwoods Casino business from Robin and Monique Lavertu. The couple opened the charitable gaming center in 2018, leasing the St. Kieran Center for the Arts building at 155 Emery St. Today, games of scratch bingo are among the Center for the Arts' monthly entertainment schedule.
The Lavertus sold the Northwoods Casino business entity to a larger charitable gaming entity and sought reassurances that a casino would remain in Berlin and continue to serve local charities, the newspaper reported three years ago. Under the Lavertus’ tenure, the casino generated nearly $500,000 for local charities, a source of pride for the couple. A retired military officer, Robin Lavertu reported he reached out to veterans' groups and that the former Northwoods casino generated money for many local veterans organizations.
Under state law, 35 percent of the gross revenues from charitable gaming go to charities, with another 10 percent going to the state. The remaining cut goes to Revo. To be a receiving charity, an organization must be registered with the state as a non-profit.
Pending the outcome of the Tuesday, Sept. 1, meeting with the planning board, and "if all goes well," a presenter said, the casino could open at the end of the first business quarter or beginning of the second quarter in 2027.
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