County Alcohol Board Grants New License, Approves Renewal with Violations
Posted
Jordan Fouts-
Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission renewed a liquor license with two violations Thursday and approved a new license, with some personal reservations.
The board unanimously approved renewal of the license for Pie-Eyed Petey’s in Leesburg, which had been issued violations in April and June.
State excise officers fined the restaurant $500 for selling alcohol to a minor in April, and fined them $1,150 June 20 for selling to a minor and failure by the bartender to show his permit.
Restaurant owners Barbara and Roy Hamer told the board that in response to the second incident, they fired the bartender and began an age 21-plus-only policy for patrons. They also eliminated the family area in July.
The new license that board members approved is for Maria’s Original House of Pancakes in Warsaw. Co-owner Dudley Allen applied for the license July 27, and said he’s ready to begin serving alcohol as soon as possible.
He told the board customers have been asking if they could have margaritas with dinner, and noted a good portion of his business is serving lunch and dinner.
He also holds a liquor license for La Troje on Buffalo Street.
Board Chairman Gordon Vanator asked why a restaurant known for serving breakfast would want a liquor license, and board member Elim Smith said he was uncomfortable with it.
“It seems like everybody who serves food wants a liquor license, and it bothers me,” Vanator said.
But he said he didn’t have much choice except to approve the license, since he said Allen would appeal to the state if turned down at the county level, and he didn’t want to cause him undue stress.
Board members approved the new on-premises and underlying licenses unanimously.
Board members also renewed the following licensees with no violations: – Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar, Warsaw – Freedom Express #1, Etna Green – Pizza Hut, Warsaw – Liquid Assets Fine Spirits, Warsaw – Viking Liquors LLC, Mentone
