Alcohol Commission Questions Barbee Hotel Owner on Complaints
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Daniel [email protected]
Signore was also told that his business has received several complaints.
Excise Officer April Tackett reviewed the bar’s violations.
On March 11, 2011, excise officers entered the establishment and encountered a bartender with a restricted permit that she wasn’t allowed to serve on.
That bartender is no longer employed by the Barbee Hotel.
The excise officer also cited finding evidence of credit sales.
The manager on duty at that time and Signore said those unpaid bills were for people who walked out on their tabs or had credit cards declined.
The bar was also cited for having a pull tab machine with a license that was seven months expired.
Signore said it was merely an oversight.
Signore appeared at Thursday’s meeting after Barbee’s renewal was continued from February.
The commission said the bar’s representative at February’s meeting couldn’t answer its questions and wanted Signore to appear.
Commission member Gordon Vanator asked Signore if he lived in the area.
“No, I live in Illinois, but I’m here a couple times a week,” said Signore.
“Well, we’re receiving complaints about your place on Fridays and Saturday nights,” said board member Elim Smith.
Vanator and Smith questioned whether Signore was aware of the complaints since he isn’t in the area full-time.
Signore said he recently added security for the weekends in response to fights that were breaking out there.
He admitted that the county sheriff’s department had been called out several times and that several people had been banned from the bar.
“You’re getting a bad reputation,” said Vanator. “I want you to know that. Some people would like your place closed.”
“I’m a little confused. People want us closed over a couple of fights?” asked Signore.
Vanator said he received an anonymous letter stating the board is not doing its job by letting Signore’s business stay open.
“For the record, we do have a competitor a block away who can be sending this,” said Signore.
“If this comes back to us our memories aren’t too short,” said Vanator.
Tackett also talked to Signore about a wet t-shirt contest his bar was having Thursday night.
Tackett said it isn’t against any state law to hold such an event in a bar, but advised Signore to make sure any participant didn’t take their shirt off.
Otherwise, Tackett said, the bar should make all contestants wear pasties or the bar would risk fines if anyone took off their shirt.
The commission voted 4-0 to approve the renewal of Barbee Hotel.
A new Mexican restaurant in downtown Warsaw received approval for a three-way liquor license with the ability to offer carryout Thursday.
La Troje, South Buffalo Street, Warsaw, earned 4-0 approval from the board and with that and a letter of authority can begin serving alcohol early next week.
Owner Juan Jose Flores Rosales told the board that he has owned El Mesquite restaurant in North Manchester for six years. He also operates restaurants in Rochester and Nappanee.
He said that none of his businesses have received a violation.
The board questioned how a license could be available.
An attorney for Rosales explained that several licenses, of varying degrees, went to auction by the state in November.
None were purchased at auction so they went back to the state.
Smith told Tackett that he wished the state would let people know when they call that those licenses have become available.
A call to the state alcohol commission to determine the licenses currently available by the Times-Union wasn’t returned.
Jones Food Center, West Van Buren Street, Leesburg, was approved for a transfer of ownership.
Ownership was transferred from Harsha Patel to Bhupendra Patel.
Vanator asked how the Patels could own a license since they aren’t residents of Indiana. They both have Illinois addresses.
Tackett explained that individuals can’t have alcohol licenses if not Indiana residents but if they are in a corporation or LLC they can.
The following businesses had their permits renewed with no violations:
– Village Pantry, South Buffalo Street, Warsaw.
– Loyal Order of Moose, West Lake Street, Warsaw.
– Los Gordos, East Winona Avenue, Warsaw.
– Kmart, Lake City Highway, Warsaw.
– Downtown Eatery & Spirits, West Center Street, Warsaw.
– Stacy’s Sports Inn, Ind. 15S, Leesburg.
– South Shore Golf Club, North Ind. 13, Syracuse.[[In-content Ad]]
Signore was also told that his business has received several complaints.
Excise Officer April Tackett reviewed the bar’s violations.
On March 11, 2011, excise officers entered the establishment and encountered a bartender with a restricted permit that she wasn’t allowed to serve on.
That bartender is no longer employed by the Barbee Hotel.
The excise officer also cited finding evidence of credit sales.
The manager on duty at that time and Signore said those unpaid bills were for people who walked out on their tabs or had credit cards declined.
The bar was also cited for having a pull tab machine with a license that was seven months expired.
Signore said it was merely an oversight.
Signore appeared at Thursday’s meeting after Barbee’s renewal was continued from February.
The commission said the bar’s representative at February’s meeting couldn’t answer its questions and wanted Signore to appear.
Commission member Gordon Vanator asked Signore if he lived in the area.
“No, I live in Illinois, but I’m here a couple times a week,” said Signore.
“Well, we’re receiving complaints about your place on Fridays and Saturday nights,” said board member Elim Smith.
Vanator and Smith questioned whether Signore was aware of the complaints since he isn’t in the area full-time.
Signore said he recently added security for the weekends in response to fights that were breaking out there.
He admitted that the county sheriff’s department had been called out several times and that several people had been banned from the bar.
“You’re getting a bad reputation,” said Vanator. “I want you to know that. Some people would like your place closed.”
“I’m a little confused. People want us closed over a couple of fights?” asked Signore.
Vanator said he received an anonymous letter stating the board is not doing its job by letting Signore’s business stay open.
“For the record, we do have a competitor a block away who can be sending this,” said Signore.
“If this comes back to us our memories aren’t too short,” said Vanator.
Tackett also talked to Signore about a wet t-shirt contest his bar was having Thursday night.
Tackett said it isn’t against any state law to hold such an event in a bar, but advised Signore to make sure any participant didn’t take their shirt off.
Otherwise, Tackett said, the bar should make all contestants wear pasties or the bar would risk fines if anyone took off their shirt.
The commission voted 4-0 to approve the renewal of Barbee Hotel.
A new Mexican restaurant in downtown Warsaw received approval for a three-way liquor license with the ability to offer carryout Thursday.
La Troje, South Buffalo Street, Warsaw, earned 4-0 approval from the board and with that and a letter of authority can begin serving alcohol early next week.
Owner Juan Jose Flores Rosales told the board that he has owned El Mesquite restaurant in North Manchester for six years. He also operates restaurants in Rochester and Nappanee.
He said that none of his businesses have received a violation.
The board questioned how a license could be available.
An attorney for Rosales explained that several licenses, of varying degrees, went to auction by the state in November.
None were purchased at auction so they went back to the state.
Smith told Tackett that he wished the state would let people know when they call that those licenses have become available.
A call to the state alcohol commission to determine the licenses currently available by the Times-Union wasn’t returned.
Jones Food Center, West Van Buren Street, Leesburg, was approved for a transfer of ownership.
Ownership was transferred from Harsha Patel to Bhupendra Patel.
Vanator asked how the Patels could own a license since they aren’t residents of Indiana. They both have Illinois addresses.
Tackett explained that individuals can’t have alcohol licenses if not Indiana residents but if they are in a corporation or LLC they can.
The following businesses had their permits renewed with no violations:
– Village Pantry, South Buffalo Street, Warsaw.
– Loyal Order of Moose, West Lake Street, Warsaw.
– Los Gordos, East Winona Avenue, Warsaw.
– Kmart, Lake City Highway, Warsaw.
– Downtown Eatery & Spirits, West Center Street, Warsaw.
– Stacy’s Sports Inn, Ind. 15S, Leesburg.
– South Shore Golf Club, North Ind. 13, Syracuse.[[In-content Ad]]
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