Everything not-so-dandy with Yankee Doodles
By Cynthia Overweg Special to the Acorn

With its grand opening scheduled for Sat., March 10, Yankee Doodles at 2830 Tapo St. has run into resistance from neighboring residents.

Word that a new full-service sports bar was going to replace what was formerly the oft-criticized Tree House sports bar led homeowners in the area to raise concerns about anticipated noise and traffic generated by the new night spot, according to Sgt. David Livingstone of the Simi Valley Police Department.

"Before the Tree House sports bar closed at that same location, we got a lot of noise complaints from people who live nearby. They complained about loud music, traffic and disorderly behavior," Livingstone said.

The same concerns are on the minds of residents even before the new sports bar opens, he said. In Livingstone's opinion, "It may not be the best location for a sports bar."

Frank Bartolini, the owner of Yankee Doodles, sees it differently.

"They rolled out the red carpet for me at the beginning and told me the operating license would be transferred with no changes. I didn't get it in writing, but that was the promise," Bartolini said. "Now the city says I have to close at 11 p.m. I've spent a million dollars getting the business ready and I'll lose a lot of money if I close that early."

Known for its big-screen plasma televisions and billiard tables, Yankee Doodles is a popular gathering place for sports enthusiasts at its locations in Santa Monica, Long Beach and Woodland Hills.

But if Bartolini hopes to find that same success here in Simi, he'll first have to go through the City Council, which is planning to address the issue at a meeting next month.

"We need to hear the perspectives of those who live in the neighborhood," said Assistant City Manager Dan Paranick. "There will be a City Council meeting on March 5, when all the permitting concerns and other issues will be discussed in public."

Bartolini, who is clearly distraught over his dealings with the city, promised he would be in attendance.

"I'm 70 years old and have opened 28 businesses in my career. This is the worst nightmare of my life," Bartolini said.

Now a resident of Palm Desert, Calif., Bartolini said he plans to move to Simi Valley when his sports bar opens to the public.