Liquor Stores’ Alcohol Licenses Renewed After Violations, Fines Paid
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David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Two liquor stores were before the Kosciusko County Alcohol Tobacco Commission Thursday for violations regarding minors.
Both had paid fines and the county board approved Thursday to recommend their licenses be renewed. The state commission will have final determination on the permits.
Before the ATC first was Nick Singh, manager and director for Nickibaba LLC, doing business as Handy Spot Liquors, 2223 E. Center St., Warsaw. Their beer, wine and liquor package store license was up for renewal.
Explaining the violation for Handy Spot Liquors, Singh said five minutes before closing, two “kids” walked in. One went to the counter and he was asked for his ID while the other one walked around the store. When the two individuals walked out of the store, excise police were outside and had been watching.
The store was fined $250 for allowing minors to loiter.
Singh said all their employees were retrained to make sure they ask for identification at the door. He said they have 15 stores across Indiana and they have a “zero tolerance policy” that every employee is made aware of to make sure it won’t happen again.
Commission member Dan Woods asked to clarify that they didn’t sell any alcohol to the individuals, and Singh said they did not.
“So they came in, you asked for his ID, then when you found he was underage, you asked him to leave?” Woods asked.
“Right, and then the other guy, somebody else, bought it and they found outside they were together but they entered at separate times,” Singh said.
Excise officer April Tackett asked if this was the first violation at the Warsaw store. Singh said he thought they had one when they first bought it in 2017 or 2018.
Alan Alderfer, Commission member, asked Singh if they’ve had a similar loitering situation happen before. Singh said they had one in Goshen and the employee was terminated.
Woods made the motion to renew the license, Alderfer seconded it and it was passed 4-0.
Next up was Becky Ounkham, partner with B & E Holding LLC, doing business as Viking Liquor, 112 W. Main St., Mentone. Their beer, wine and liquor package store license was up for renewal.
She said she wasn’t there when the violation happened earlier this year, possibly in February, and they only have a few employees.
The evening part-time employee served an individual when he came in. Ounkham said the employee did ask for ID, he said he didn’t have it but he was still served. Excise officers then came in and gave Viking Liquor the violation.
The $1,000 fine for the establishment was paid, and Ounkham said the employee was fined $250. The employee is still working with the business.
She said they did do some training with the few employees they do have. They also have posted on the front door and elsewhere that people will be carded.
Tackett asked Ounkham how long she’s been a partner or owned the business. Ounkham said three or four years, having taken over the business in 2018. Thursday was the first time she said she was before the Commission for a violation.
The license was renewed by a vote of 4-0.
Permits renewed without violations included:
• Brian K. Stalder, doing business as Lakeview Liquors, 103 E. Main St., Silver Lake, beer, wine and liquor, package store.
• Cerulean Winona Lake LLC, doing business as Cerulean, 1101 E. Canal St., Winona Lake, beer, wine and liquor, restaurant.
• Family Express Corporation, doing business as Family Express #83, 203 S. Main St., Leesburg, beer and wine dealer, grocery store.
• George and Angie’s Pub LLC, doing business as George’s Highlander, 204 E. State St., Etna Green, beer, wine and liquor, restaurant.
• Gurleen Petroleum Inc., doing business as Angel Food Mart, 10010 N. Turkey Creek Road, Syracuse, beer and wine dealer, grocery store.
• Lakelife Bar and Grill LLC, doing business as Lakelife, 3687 N. Barbee Road, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor, restaurant.
• LM Acquisitions Inc., doing business as New Market #771, 306 S. Main St., North Webster, beer and wine dealer, grocery store.
• Par Five LLC, doing business as Silver Inn Tavern, 105 E. Main St., Silver Lake, beer, wine and liquor, restaurant.
• Service Liquors Inc., doing business as Service Liquors East, 3720 Lake City Highway, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor, package store.
