Controversial sports bar plans mid-August grand opening

SAUGUS – The orange awnings have been installed and work is under way to complete the transformation of the former Dave’s Famous Barbecue to Hooters, the restaurant that bills itself as “delightfully tacky, yet unrefined.”The Board of Selectmen voted 4-0 to approve the controversial sports bar’s bid in June to take over the Route 1 south building left vacant when Famous Dave’s departed.During the hearing, franchisees Marc Phaneuf Jr. and Marc Phaneuf Sr. characterized the restaurant as a casual neighborhood joint akin to T.G.I.Friday’s.It might be fairer to say, it’s like a Friday’s with less clothing.Friday’s waitstaff, which includes males and females, wear red shirts, black pants and sometimes hats.Hooters’ waitstaff is made up only of women, who are known namely for their short shorts and tight tank tops. In a recent online ad seeking staff for the Saugus store, Hooters Girls were described as “fun, attractive, outgoing girls” and asked applicants to send a photo along with their resume when inquiring about a job.”Hooters is committed to providing an environment of employee growth and development so that we can provide every guest a unique, entertaining, dining experience in a fun and casual beach themed atmosphere delivered by attractive, vivacious Hooters Girls while making positive contributions to the communities in which we live,” the ad stated.Several selectmen took issue with the restaurant’s policies on women during the permit hearing.Selectman Michael Kelleher said he was not a fan of a particular harassment policy each employee is required to sign as a condition of employment.The policy states that the Hooters Girls might face certain comments or sexual innuendo as part of their job.At the time, the junior Phaneuf said that is not to say sexual harassment is tolerated at Hooters. Phaneuf said the company has a strict policy for reporting any sexual harassment and if the girls or any employee feel threatened, they should go to their supervisors.The policy, he said, is more of a liability issue warning the women of what they might be up against as a Hooters Girl.While the selectmen voiced some concerns, not a single resident turned out to speak against the franchise – a vast difference from previous hearings that brought out dissenters.The Route 1 store is slated to open by mid- to late-August, or as the Phaneauf’s, who own three Hooters in Connecticut, said in June, by Labor Day at the latest.When the restaurant does finally open it will have the distinction of being the only Hooters in the state, which some could say makes Saugus truly, “Someplace Special.”