City Council approved the transfer of liquor license after the vote

The City Council approved the transfer of a liquor license that would allow a limited liability company to establish a beer distributorship in a storefront at the former Wissinger Shopping Village complex, after unanimously rescinding the transfer last month.

This time the vote was 6-1, with only Dave Butterbaugh dissenting.

“I talked to the people who applied and understood the improvements they would make,” Councilwoman Shelley Clinich said afterward, explaining why she, along with Butterbaugh and Councilman Ron Beatty, voted in favor of the transfer this time after voting against it last month. . “It gave me clarity so I had accurate information.”

Drew Patel, principal of SR Bev LLC, which will use the license previously held by Bopin’s Brew in Bellwood for the new location on Walnut Boulevard, said he is now happy.

“I appreciate these people coming back and reapplying,” said Councilman Dave Ellis, who voted with Jesse Ickes and Bruce Kelley in favor of the transfer last month, breaking the tie in Mayor Matt Pacifico’s absence.

SR Bev’s principal owners also own other businesses in Blair County and operate them responsibly, according to attorney Tom Hooper, who spoke to the council before making its decision. Based on those previous operations, Hooper said the owners would likely be “good managers” of the former Bellwood license.

After the vote, Kelley said the Liquor Control Board strictly enforces its regulations, so beer distributorships shouldn’t cause problems.

Kelley said it makes sense for the city to support small businesses like Patel’s.

Butterbaugh led the opposition last month following demands from neighbors who did not want a beer distributorship in the neighborhood.

Butterbaugh said LCB isn’t doing the neighborhood any favors with the way it regulates an establishment that used to be located nearby.

“Maybe this time I’ll be proven wrong,” he said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler at 814-949-7038.

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