The Dollar General store in Pierceton will have to go to the state if they want to be able to sell beer and wine. Thursday, the Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission voted 3-1 against issuing a license to the store. Scott Cocks, district manager for Dollar General, appeared before the board with the request. After Cocks’ presentation, board member Elim Smith said that he would vote no on it. Kandi Knight, Pierceton, then appeared before the board to speak against it. Knight said she felt like there were already enough places in Pierceton to buy alcohol and that children in Pierceton were already too exposed to it. “I’m also the wife of a recovering alcoholic and they don’t need any more temptation,” said Knight. Knight suggested adding more groceries rather than alcohol. “I would just ask if any other grocery store would ask for this, would you approve it?” asked Cocks. Smith told Cocks that he always votes against requests by grocery stores, drug stores and gas stations. “This board has a right to their opinion,” said board president Gordon Vanator. “The state may overrule us. They probably will. Very few times do they support us.” “Where do we stop?” Vanator continued. “I have a fertilizer plant. Should I apply for a license there? I don’t think so. That’d be pretty stupid.” Smith, Vanator and board member Kenneth Johnson all voted against the request while excise officer Heather Lynch, sitting in place of regular excise officer April Tackett, voted in favor. After two months of continuances, Time Out Inn had ownership fully transfered of a three-way liquor from Gordy’s into its name. Time Out owner Rocky Clemens and brother Tom Clemens owned a minor share in the license at what was formerly Gordy’s. When that business shut down after an arsonist set it on fire in 2008, the land was sold. Rocky Clemens’ wife, Karol, then opened another restaurant, Stella’s, at what was formerly Pickerman’s on North Detroit Street. When Karol took over the former Pickerman’s building, it had a beer and wine license included with the deal. At that point, Time Out attempted to fully take over the Gordy’s license. But a wrong address on paperwork delayed the transfer. While at Thursday’s meeting, Rocky Clemens asked the board to consider extending the time of the escrow. The Gordy’s license currently has a little more than a year left before it has to be sold or is returned to the state.Clemens said that since Gordy’s was burned down, and that Stella’s just recently re-opened, he didn’t feel like he could put the license to use in the time left on the escrow. He said that in total, the losses as a result of the Gordy’s fire were around $400,000. He was asked whether he had shopped it to other businesses. “I know a lot of people who would gladly buy that off you,” said Smith. Clemens said he had yet to shop it around. Clemens indicated he would go to the state and ask for an extension. Barbee Landing had its license renewed with no violations. Follow staff writer Daniel Riordan on Twitter at @TUNews_Riordan He can be reached at 574-267-3111, Ext. 246.
