Spring Break
Conflicting liquor licenses prevent new store from opening
Michael Mayday
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: News
Meanwhile, Vajda suffered a heart attack last Wednesday and only left the hospital two days ago. He missed the city's repeated attempts to contact him, and he could not attend Monday night's city council meeting, at which the council discussed the liquor issue.
He still plans to apply to renew his license, though, he said. He said he can either terminate the license or give it back to the state, but he doesn't want to lose a license he can sell later.
"My liquor license is good for the city of Hillsdale," he said. "I can still open a store somewhere else."
Sessions said the state commission may reject his application because his business has racked up 17 violations with the commission, including selling alcohol to minors and writing insufficient checks to the commission. Seven violations have occurred since 2006. Additionally, the commission will take the city's recommendation into serious account, Sessions said.
This, however, was not the first time city and county officials went to the Liquor Licensing Commission.
The Windgates said they went before the commission with Sessions, both State Senator Cameron Brown's and State Representative Ken Kurtz's chiefs of staff, and the city of Hillsdale's Director of Economic Development Christine Bowman, to make sure no problems would arise.
"And they said not a problem, we'll push it through for you," Penny Windgate said.
She said Sessions even asked the commission specifically if there would be a conflict with Vajda's license. She said the commission stated that when Vajda ceases to do business at Broad Street Market the license would not present a problem.
The new store will benefit the whole community, Penny Windgate said.
"We can be a vital part to helping to grow this economy," she said. "I was planning to hire 15 people - there's 15 jobs lost because I can't open the store."
Chris Windgate said he had to slow the construction of Broad Street Downtown Market, and plans to lay off workers.
Councilperson Bruce Sharp agreed with Penny Windgate's assessment.
"It's going to be a cornerstone," he said. "It's not just going to benefit the community, but the college too because it will give the college students something to do Thursday night."
Sharp called this business an essential part of Blueprint for Downtown, an extensive program aimed at revitalizing downtown Hillsdale's economy.
"Whatever we can do we need to move forward on this and not delay this," he said to the Windgates. "We're counting on you guys."
He still plans to apply to renew his license, though, he said. He said he can either terminate the license or give it back to the state, but he doesn't want to lose a license he can sell later.
"My liquor license is good for the city of Hillsdale," he said. "I can still open a store somewhere else."
Sessions said the state commission may reject his application because his business has racked up 17 violations with the commission, including selling alcohol to minors and writing insufficient checks to the commission. Seven violations have occurred since 2006. Additionally, the commission will take the city's recommendation into serious account, Sessions said.
This, however, was not the first time city and county officials went to the Liquor Licensing Commission.
The Windgates said they went before the commission with Sessions, both State Senator Cameron Brown's and State Representative Ken Kurtz's chiefs of staff, and the city of Hillsdale's Director of Economic Development Christine Bowman, to make sure no problems would arise.
"And they said not a problem, we'll push it through for you," Penny Windgate said.
She said Sessions even asked the commission specifically if there would be a conflict with Vajda's license. She said the commission stated that when Vajda ceases to do business at Broad Street Market the license would not present a problem.
The new store will benefit the whole community, Penny Windgate said.
"We can be a vital part to helping to grow this economy," she said. "I was planning to hire 15 people - there's 15 jobs lost because I can't open the store."
Chris Windgate said he had to slow the construction of Broad Street Downtown Market, and plans to lay off workers.
Councilperson Bruce Sharp agreed with Penny Windgate's assessment.
"It's going to be a cornerstone," he said. "It's not just going to benefit the community, but the college too because it will give the college students something to do Thursday night."
Sharp called this business an essential part of Blueprint for Downtown, an extensive program aimed at revitalizing downtown Hillsdale's economy.
"Whatever we can do we need to move forward on this and not delay this," he said to the Windgates. "We're counting on you guys."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
randy
posted 4/23/09 @ 3:45 PM EST
State won't rescind denial of Broad Street grocery store liquor license:
www.hillsdale.net/homepage/x718266915/State-won-t-rescind-denial-of-Broad-Street-grocery-store-liquor-license
Sessions: -1, Freedom: +1
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