Claypool Inn Cited For Serving Alcohol To A Minor; License Renewed
Posted
Jen Gibson-jgibson@timesuniononline.com
During a survey of alcohol compliance, the Claypool Inn was cited for serving alcohol by a minor.
Thursday afternoon, Claypool Inn owner Harold Huyghe appeared in front of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission to address the violation.
According to the Heather Cleveland, Indiana State Excise police officer from Columbia City, an employee at the Claypool Inn served alcohol to a minor during an SAC investigation. The incident was the bar's only infraction, and Huyghe ealready paid a $500 fine, but Huyghe maintained the bar's innocence.Huyghe said that the minor used in the survey had been in the business by herself two times before and was asked for identification by the bartender.
When Cleveland checked to verify the information contained in the violation, she said she was the officer accompanying the minor during the investigation. The minor lives in LaGrange County and has no driver's license, making it unlikely that the girl had been in the bar before.
Before the ABC made a decision on the permit, board member Elim Smith said, "You really should have brought witnesses."
Huegy said he has been in the business for 54 years, and "this is the first time I've ever had a violation."
Then Smith and Kenneth Johnson approved the permit.
"Watch it in the future, sir," Smith said.
Later in the meeting, Andy Carmichael, a representative for Lassus Handy Dandy, requested a new permit for the convenience store on Plaza Drive, Warsaw. However, Carmichael said that due to construction delays, the permit will not be used for a period of time while remodeling takes place.
"We have no intent to sell alcohol beverages in the facility we have today," Carmichael said.
If approved, the license can be held in escrow until the final inspection of the business is done after the remodeling project is complete.
Johnson and Cleveland voted to approve the permit, but Smith voted against it.
"I have never approved an alcohol permit for a gas station," Smith said. "I don't believe in it. ... You can take the request to the state, and they will override it, but in my conscience I can't approve it."
Renewals of beer, wine and liquor permits were approved for the following businesses:
n Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, 3805 Lake City Highway, Warsaw.
n Pierceton Discount Package Store, 101 First St., Pierceton.
n Mi Lindo Acapulco, 217 E. Center St., Warsaw.
n Huntington Street Bar & Grill, 704 N. Huntington St., Syracuse.
n Quackers Inc, d/b/a Hammer's Pub & Grub, 104 E. Pickwick Road, Syracuse.
n VFW Post 1126, 1350 W. Center St., Warsaw.
n Claypool Inn LLC, 108 S. Main St., Claypool.
Beer and wine permits were approved for:
n Freeland Enterprises d/b/a Pizza Hut, Detroit Street, Warsaw.
