Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Under state regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages, grocery stores or businesses that sell grocery items cannot sell cold beer.
Only bars or liquor stores can sell cold beer for carry-out. A mini-mart falls under the grocery store category and cannot sell cold beer.
Richard J. Deangelis was reminded of those regulations when he went in front of the Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission Thursday for a transfer of ownership of a beer and wine dealer's permit. Deangelis bought Tippy Mini Mart and Video about three months ago from Keith and Bonnie Evans, of Evans Plastics Inc. He did not buy the corporation, only the store.
Tippy Mini Mart and Video is at 2757 E. Armstrong Road, Leesburg.
State excise officer John Barchak told Deangelis an excise officer spotted cold beer at the mini-mart on Dec. 29. The store was not cited at that time.
Deangelis told Barchak and the ABC, "The rules are, to my understanding, being enforced. There is no cold beer in that building, period."
Only bait and sandwiches are refrigerated at the mini-mart, Deangelis said.
Barchak said, "There may be special customers who go in to purchase cold beer (from some of your employees)." He then told Deangelis to address the problem of cold beer and special customers to his employees.
"If I would have seen it," Deangelis said, "it would have ceased."
Barchak told Deangelis he would be cited if cold beer was seen in the store again.
"We keep 99-cent styrofoam coolers at the store so they can grab a cooler, grab some ice and keep their own beer cold," Deangelis said in his defense.
ABC board member Darwin Call asked Deangelis what he expected the ABC to do if he ever was cited.
"I would expect you to follow the rule of the land," Deangelis said.
When Deangelis told Barchak that he was totally caught off guard about the Dec. 29 incident, Barchak said that was exactly what was intended.
The ABC approved the transfer of ownership. Deangelis said there would be no similar incidents.
Newly appointed board member Gordon Vanator told Call and board member Howard Long that if the board is not strict to the rules and regulations, he would resign.
"We have a lot of problems with teenagers in this community and that puts a lot of pressure on us," Vanator said. "I will not serve on a board that allows (those problems) to happen."
Call and Long agreed.
In other business, CVS pharmacy, 100 N. Detroit St., Warsaw, was approved for a liquor, beer and wine dealer's permit. CVS is owned by Hooks-Superx Inc. They will receive their permit in two to three weeks.
Businesses and organizations approved for renewals include Fraternal Order of Eagles #3760, Syracuse; RC's Pier, Syracuse; Dangles, Syracuse; Hainley Restaurant Corp., North Webster; and Tamalio's Finish Line, Syracuse.
For 1999, Call was appointed president of the ABC and Long was appointed secretary.
