Oakwood Inn Gets Liquor License, Eyes 2012 Reopening
Posted
Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
With a tentative reopening of spring 2012, the Oakwood Inn was granted a liquor license for the first time in its history.
The hotel opened originally in 1893 but closed around Labor Day 2008, and was originally owned by the United Methodist Church. The Oakwood Foundation controlled the hotel along with other properties located on the northwest side of Lake Wawasee.
The foundation returned it to the church in March 2008.
Andy Klineman, general counsel for the group 684 Partners, which now controls the Oakwood Inn, said the hotel is no longer church affiliated and is in receivership in Kosciusko County Superior Court Judge Duane Huffer’s court.
“We’re going to bring the place back to life,” said Klineman.
The Kosciusko County Alcohol Beverage Commission voted 4-0 to approve a beer, wine and liquor license Thursday afternoon for the Inn.
The license also allows for the sale of carry-out.
The license still needs to be approved at the state level.
The final inspection was not completed as of the commission’s meeting Thursday.
However, excise officer April Tackett said the hotel did properly post a compliance form on the front of the building.
Klineman, along with Greg Genrich from Bradford & Riley Consulting, Indianapolis, appeared before the commission to apply for the permit.
Klineman said he hoped Oakwood would reopen in the spring, but it may not open until summer 2012. “There is a lot of work to do,” said Klineman.
He said there were plans for a restaurant and bar.
Commission president Gordon Vanator asked if there was an issue with a permit being issued that won’t be used for potentially up to a year.
Tackett said that a license can be held in escrow for up to two years.
Genrich added that number could increase to five years.
After two years in escrow, the license holder must contact that state every six months after, for up to five years, to let them know what their plan with the license is.
Vanator also wondered if issuing the permit would take one off the table for another business.
Tackett and Genrich both said that hotels are exempt from quotas of how many licenses can be handed out in a county or municipality.
The following places had their licenses renewed with no violations:
– Wawasee Bowling Lanes, South Huntington Street, Syracuse – McClure Oil 37, South Ind. 15, Silver Lake – SS Lillypad II, South Harkless Road, Syracuse – The Post, North First Street, Pierceton – Louie’s Bar & Grill, East Bowser Street, Syracuse – Claypool Inn, South Main Street, Claypool – Aldi 31, Commerce Drive, Warsaw – CVS Pharmacy, South Main Street, North Webster – CVS Pharmacy, South Huntington Street, Syracuse – Pamida, Indiana Avenue, Syracuse – Barbee Landing, North Barbee Road, Warsaw
