02/14/2020
A final letter from the owners...
In response to a very uninformed post by a council member, on the real reason Tavern 53 closed its doors...
On tueseday new years eve, we went to the city to renew our liquor license at the price of 5200 for the year.. We paid in full via a cashier's check and were told that they did not have time to fill out the form and to come back thursday. So thursday morning, Marc went to the state to pick up our state license and also to home depot to begin a revamp and remodel of Tavern for the upcoming year, He went by the city on the way back and was told once again that it would be a few days. Marc then called the City attorney to ask if we could sell alcohol since we had the receipt and was told by the attorny that the city held a meeting prior and decided they would not be renewing our license this year. for the following reasonings.:
1. we filled late, and were suppose to submit the application on december 1st. This was rebutted bc the acting city manager (event planner) sent an email on december 17 "as a friendly reminder that we had to submit and pay our licence by december 31" So this was thrown out.
2. That the numbers looked "fishy" because they were rounded up. And yes the $26 dollars we owed was rounded up because all I had was two 20's. We over paid by a few dollars and were happy to submit the state records to verify that to them. Again this was debunked.
3. He said we "double paid" a month with different numbers. This was our error. The form we put the wrong month on it. Again we are talking about less than $30 dollars and it was an easy fix, we also offered that they could audit or view our records at any time to clarify.
4. And here is the kicker that the council lady is twisting around possibly because she doesn't know, and possibly because they are saving face. Because we have never had a problem with Her, i'm giving her the benefit of the doubt. The city attorney told us we were not in compliance with the food to alcohol ratio that is 60% food to 40% alcohol. The state requirement and what we were told by city prior was 50%/50%. And for FOUR YEARS we have maintained a 52% or better food ratio. NEVER ONCE IN FOUR YEARS have we been given a warning, a citation or any other thing about it.. And mind you the City attorney that over looks this has been in office for 14 years I believe.
He told us plainly we have the right to appeal but that the city could decide whatever they wanted regardless of any evidence or facts. Marc asked if it was a decision "by law or by jury" and he said they could vote their conscience. Also, he told us that the appeal process could take months and we would not be able to sell liquor at the bar during that time, but MIND YOU, the decision was already made in a private meeting that was held in some form before we ever submitted our application.
The truth of this as all of you know, we backed the former mayor. The new mayor with all of his 2 weeks experience of government office, did not return our calls when we left them with the city a week before, never said a word, and we were told directly by the attorney that he would advice them NOT to talk to us at all until the meeting, when we hoped to clarify this.
So at that point, and anyone with common sense knows what's going on here, we asked if we could just get our money back. He was told, possibly but they weren't sure, and Marc found an ordinance that allowed us to get our money back after some debate with the city because they never issued our license at all.
We had no win here. Yes the City pulled a technicality and would not allow a bar, to sell alcohol. Also keep in mind we pay the city more money a year than all other businesses combined, but we lost favor because we questioned the recall process of the former Mayor.
Twist and spin anyway you want, but his is EXACTLY what happened. I do not want to have a business where it isn't wanted, so we nodded our heads and quietly walked away. But hearing this crap, i'm not going to sit and let them act like they are golden angels.. Most people don't have a clue at the crap that goes on in this city.. We have refrained from mud slinging and speaking out, except to say we didn't believe the accusations about the former Mayor and that she always treated us well.
To the council members, former council members, and officials in the city, SHAME ON YOU! We have many friends that work with you and hear everyting you mutter under your breaths and what goes on behind the scenes.. And yet we have chosen to ignore and not let it go, but I"ve had enough!! You've cost me money, my business, and while our attorneys adviced us to sue the hell out of city and found multiple grounds they believed we could win on, we chose to just walk away.. Maybe we should reconsider that decision, because the benefit of owning a bar, you hear EVERYTHING about everyone in the estabilishment!
NEVER ONCE was anything communicated to us nor any warning, citation, or "DUE PROCESS" extended at all towards us. We were just told that the city had elected to decline.
Yes i have many things in writting as well as more documents than you could shake a stick at that were given to us. But as I said we chose to take the high road.
I'm not in any way saying Hope knew this, but, well, Now she does.. Consider yourself informed. If anyone knows me and has questions, from this point on, feel free to ask, I'm an open book!
To the citizens of Hoschton, you are a good group of people and we thank you for supporting us for almost 4 years.. Many we will miss, but please do your homework and investigate your elected officials. Be informed.. You may be quite surprized.
