Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Not only does Homer's Hideaway, Warsaw, have several violations against its alcohol permit, but one of the bar's co-owners is a convicted felon.
In Indiana, a convicted felon may not hold an alcohol permit.
According to Alcoholic Beverage Board of Kosciusko County member and excise officer Patty Fleck Thursday, James E. Griffith, Fort Wayne, was convicted on charges of dealing marijuana and hashish.
Fleck did not have information on when the arrest occurred or when Griffith was sentenced. His wife, and co-owner of Homer's, Lynne Griffith, told the ABC that James had been on house arrest for the past six months, which will end in the next couple of weeks.
Fleck told Lynne that Lynne needed to resubmit the renewal application for the alcohol permits to Homer's Hideaway, 975 Anchorage Road, Warsaw, along with a transfer of stock application to get James' name off the permit so they don't lose the permit.
As for the violations, on April 13, the bar was cited for public nuisance, promoting professional gambling, possession of six gambling devices and 92 counts of credit sales. A credit sale is when a patron buys alcohol and leaves the establishment without paying for the alcohol.
Since the violations were recent and the state has not heard them yet, Fleck told Griffith the Kosciusko County ABC could not hear the renewal of Homer's Hideaway's alcohol permits. The permits were tabled to the June 2 meeting at 1 p.m. in the county courthouse, Warsaw.
Homer's Hideaway alcohol permits include a beer, wine and liquor retailer permit and a Sunday sales retailer permit.
Ruby Tuesday, 3308 E. Center St., Warsaw, paid a $150 fine for its violation. One of the restaurant's managers had an expired bartender's license.
The beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits for Ruby Tuesday were renewed.
Transfer of ownership for alcohol permits for two Warsaw businesses was approved, including: Mi Lindo Acapulco, East Center Street, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits; and Warsaw Bowl, East Market Street, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
In other business, the following permits were approved and had no violations:
• Claypool Inn, South Main Street, Claypool, beer, wine and liquor retailer permit.
• Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, Lake City Highway, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Mema's Dewart Lake Inn, North CR 300E, Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Pierceton Discount Package Store, First Street, Pierceton, beer, wine and liquor dealer permit.
• Pizza Hut, North Detroit Street, Warsaw, beer and wine and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Hammer's Pub & Grub, East Pickwick Road, Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
Members of the ABC are chairman Gordon Vanator, secretary Kenneth Johnson, Elim Smith and excise officer Patty Fleck. They meet at 1 p.m. in the county courthouse, Warsaw, on the first Thursday of every month.
