Bar Louie wants to open in the downtown Royal Oak spot that Blackfinn Ameripub occupied until it closed suddenly in October.

The Royal Oak Police Department recommended the City Commission approve a franchisee’s proposal to transfer a liquor license to open a Bar Louie at 510-516 S. Main St., according to a city document.

Franchisee Anthony Marougi owns BL Royal Oak LLC, which would operate the Bar Louie location and lease it from building owner Royal Oak Partners LLC. Marougi expects to spend $450,000 to renovate the space and buy equipment, according to a memo sent to Royal Oak City Manager Don Johnson. Marougi formerly ran Bar Louie locations in Novi, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills and Dearborn, the memo said.

The proposed 7,400-square-foot Royal Oak location would seat 183, and Marougi is requesting a sidewalk seating area.

Marougi and partner Zubin Antia sold their BL Development Group LLC’s restaurant operating assets in Michigan, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida to Bar Louie at the end of August, according to a news release from GulfStar Group, which assisted with the transaction.

“The BLDG team is very excited about the outcome of this transaction, as it enables Bar Louie to incorporate eight of the franchise system’s leading units back into the corporate system, and provides us with a fresh development agreement and ample capital to go out and develop new Bar Louie stores in exciting geographies,” Marougi said in GulfStar’s September news release.

BL Development Group did not respond to a request for comment.

Reasons for Blackfinn’s closure last fall are unclear. The space shares a block with Buffalo Wild Wings, 526 Main Dueling Piano Bar and Tequila Blue Mexican restaurant.

Bar Louie, a casual burger-and-drinks chain aimed at 25- to 44-year-olds, has more than 110 locations across the U.S., according to its website. It has nine in Michigan.