The city of Galesburg held a liquor license violation hearing yesterday which resulted in a fine for an area license holder.
There were two hearings scheduled, but Consumer Friendly Trading Inc., who owns Seminary Street Pub, settled just
prior to the court case after being cited for minors consuming alcohol on the property.
Team Coleman LLC, owners of Uptown Bar & Grill, went to a hearing where liquor commissioner John Pritchard ruled to fine the establishment $250 for having alcohol containers open and within arms length of three individuals about an hour and twenty minutes after closing time on Dec. 19.
The LLC could also face an additional $250 fine if they fail to pay for an owed food and beverage tax from July.
Owner Steve “Champ” Coleman disputed the finding and said prior to the ruling that the people in question were not drinking after the bar closed.
“I did not sell any alcohol, I did not give any alcohol,” Coleman says. “The people, the two that’s in (sic) question, (one individual) did drink at the bar that night, but the other two in question did not even have a drink at my bar. They were intoxicated and came over to help. They needed a ride and they were dropped off at my bar and they were helping us clean up.”
Coleman said he will appeal the ruling.
Pritchard says he’s had roughly eight to 10 cases settle outside of a hearing, but in his four years as Mayor and commissioner, yesterday was the first to result in sanction from the city at a hearing.
