State authorities are processing one new liquor permit application and two license changes in Ironton.

Wednesday, May 03, 2000

State authorities are processing one new liquor permit application and two license changes in Ironton.

Ironton Boat Club Inc., doing business as Dockside Grill, 100 Center St., filed an application April 7 with the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control for a new D5 permit, spokesperson Patty Haskins said.

The all-inclusive D5 license is frequently defined as a night club permit with full privileges, including the sale of liquor, mixed drinks and beer Monday through Saturday until 2:30 a.m., Ms. Haskins said.

Robert Johnson of Ironton is the sole officer and stockholder of Ironton Boat Club Inc., according to the application.

The application entered the processing stage April 18, Ms. Haskins said.

Ironton City Council and other local governments were notified of the application and can request a hearing on the permit, she said.

Most applications are processed in about six to eight weeks, depending on state statute requirements and the results of the hearing, if any, she said.

The Division of Liquor Control is charged by state statute to make the decision on whether to grant or deny the permit, Ms. Haskins said.

"The majority of liquor permits are issued on a population quota basis for each type of license," she said.

Only one D5 license is allowed for every 2,000 people. With Ironton’s population at 12,724, that means the state will allow seven such permits in the city, Ms. Haskins said.

There are five D5 permits currently issued, with two openings and two applications on file, including Ironton Boat Club’s.

Two requested license changes that were filed with the state the first week of April include:

– Rem Stat Inc., 104 S. Fourth St., transfer of ownership to Murph Inc., doing business as Illusions, 104 S. Fourth St.

Andrea Murphy of Coal Grove is listed as CEO, president and treasurer of Murph Inc. William Murphy of Ironton is listed as vice president.

The transfer request is a combination of D1, D2, D3 and D3A liquor permits, which in combination carry similar sales privileges as a D5 permit, Ms. Haskins said.

– John Ferrell, doing business as JFS Smokehouse, 803 Vernon St., transfer of ownership and location to University Shooters Restaurant Inc., 1619 S. Third St. Terri Rowe is listed as sole stockholder of the business.

The transfer request is a D5 liquor permit, Ms. Haskins said.

The city council also may request a hearing for those liquor permit changes as well, she said.

In addition to checking a city’s permit quotas, the state conducts an investigation of both the applicant and the intended premises before making a final decision on a permit, Ms. Haskins said.

Part of the investigation is a personal history of the company’s stockholders and a criminal records check, she said.

The placement of the business is also considered, but not restricted, she added.

For example, institutions such as churches and schools within 500 feet of the proposed premises must be notified, Ms. Haskins said.

"It’s not that (the business) cannot be located within 500 feet," she said.

If the institution wishes to object, they must prove operation will affect the normal conduct of the institution, Ms. Haskins said.

"Moral beliefs are not sufficient to support a denial," she said. "There must be some type of evidence."

Other information about the permit hearing process can be directed to the division’s legal office at 1-614-644-2392.