A request by Katie’s Kwik Mart in Leesburg to sell beer and wine was rejected by the Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission Thursday afternoon.
Owner Nirmal Gujjar appeared before the commission stating that he hoped the sale of warm beer and wine would increase profits for his business.
“It’s a one-stop shop for my customers,” said Gujjar.
“I don’t see how much more money you can make with it,” said commission president Gordon Vanator.
Leesburg resident Judy Timmons spoke in opposition of the request.
She said while she was friends with Gujjar and thought he was a good man, she felt that there were already enough places in Leesburg to buy alcohol.
The commission voted 3-1 against issuing a license with Vanator, Elim Smith and Kenneth Johnson voting against.
Excise officer April Tackett voted in favor of the license.
Vanator told Gujjar that he could go down to the state commission and that most likely they would approve his license.
Just-N-Time Bar & Grill, Milford, had its liquor license renewed after a fine.
The fine was a result of a Oct. 15 violation where a bartender at Just-N-Time sold alcohol to a minor and allowed a minor to loiter.
The bar paid a $500 fine.
Teddy Sparkman, who is in the process of buying the bar from Justin Yoder, said he had the bartender pay the fine.
Yamato’s Steakhouse was issued a new beer and license Thursday afternoon.
With a letter of authority, Yamato’s could start serving beer and wine as early as next week.
Time Out Inn’s request to transfer ownership of a license formerly owned by Gordy’s was delayed for another month.
During the commission’s May meeting, the license had Time Out’s address listed.
One address is not allowed to have two liquor licenses on it by state law.
Should the transfer go through, the Time Out would not get to put the license in escrow for another five years.
It would have to be sold in the next two years or it would go back on the market.
The following businesses had their license renewed with no violations:
– Saint Regis Club, South Buffalo Street, Warsaw
– Mad Anthony’s Lake City Taphouse, East Center Street, Warsaw
– Beef’s Booze Barn, North Huntington Street, Syracuse
– Jones Food Center, West Van Buren Street, Leesburg
– The Old Depot, East Market Street, Pierceton
– Maxie’s Restaurant, East Elkhart County Line Road, Syracuse
