By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
On the corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Chestnut Street in Burlington sits a once-popular bar – Coach’s.
After its operator died in an motor vehicle accident close to two years ago, the doors closed that very day, and never reopened.
But, as the City of Burlington Common Council discovered Tuesday night, the taxes continue to be paid, and the liquor license continues to be renewed by owner Gloria Henry.
That license not being active, along with one other, has led to a draft of an ordinance that would institute rules for how long licenses can be held by businesses that aren’t open.
Currently, city code has no restrictions on its alcohol licenses. Property owners are entitled to purchase a yearly license and hold it until the business reopens or as leverage in the sale of the property.
The new ordinance would dismiss the ability to purchase or renew the license if the business had not been open to the public in 60 days.
Coach’s isn’t the only business that is shuttered and still holding a liquor license. Cottonpicker, which closed in the fall of 2012, also has a license it is not using.
The city has struggled in keeping up in its demand for liquor licenses. A few years back, Lucky Star and Brickyard BBQ battled for the only available license. Lucky Star eventually got that license, and the Brickyard BBQ purchased the city’s “reserve” license for $10,000.
That means none are available now.
“As you all are aware, we are desperately short on liquor licenses,” said Mayor Bob Miller.
While some council members didn’t argue that pulling the licenses back was good in concept, there was concern about the time frame.
“Sixty days is a really aggressive time frame,” said Alderman Jon Schultz, questioning whether that would be a stumbling block for people looking to open a new business in Burlington.
“It’s going to scare away a lot of people,” Schultz said.
While City Attorney John Bjelajac advised the council it could set whatever time frame it wanted to recall the licenses, Schultz simply wanted it clear in the rules that the city would be flexible in letting businesses have time to get the doors open when starting up.
Bjelajac did say the city had full discretion when it came to granting and renewing licenses.
“It’s more of a moving target, if you will,” the city attorney said.
The proposal will come for a vote at Feb. 18’s City Council meeting.
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