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ABC Warns Local Retailer About Sales To Minors

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Though Warsaw Bowl, East Market Street, Warsaw, had a violation, their petition for a beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer stock transfer before the Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission was approved - with a warning.

According to excise officer Tim Cleveland, their violation was for selling alcohol to a minor and not having a federal tax stamp. The violation occurred Jan. 24.

Cleveland said to clear the violation, an owner needed to be present at the hearing. Jaime Wright was present and she said with the stock transfer, she will be a one-third owner and will be operating the business most of the time.

Board president Darwin Call agreed to hear the petition since Wright will be a one-third owner and will be operating the business.

From what he recalled, Cleveland said, a minor purchased five or six drinks from a bartender on the night of the violation. Cleveland participated in that bust.

Since the violation occurred, Wright said, they received their federal tax stamp and the bartender who served the minor is no longer employed by them. All their bartenders have been instructed on checking identification. The business also has posted the law, in both Spanish and English, on serving minors.

"We've done everything we know what to do," she said.

Call said they've had several of these violations come before them over the years but usually the minor had a fake identification. In this case, however, the minor used his own identification and was still served.

Board member Gordon Vanator said the board doesn't want to give the impression that they look the other way on these violations, though they also don't want to be punitive. He said she'd better make sure it doesn't happen again or "I'd be in favor of pulling your license."

"I guess you've been warned so it behooves you to warn your bartenders and waitresses," Call said.

In other business, the board approved petitions for:

• The Keg, West Van Buren Street, Leesburg, beer and wine and Sunday sales retailer permits.

• Ye Olde Pub, West South Street, North Webster, beer and wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits transfer of ownership.

• Gilliam Lanes, Ind. 15N, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.

• Harmony's Place, North Huntington Street, Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor retailer renewal.

• Louies Bar & Grill, East Bowser Road, Syracuse, beer and wine and Sunday sales retailer permits.

• Liquid Assets Fine Spirits, East Center Street, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor dealer permit.