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Ruling coming soon for Quinton’s liquor license

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by Jacquelyn Ryberg

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Quinton’s Bar and Deli is in danger of losing its liquor license as the prosecution date for noncompliance with license regulations draws nearer, according to an Alcohol Review Committee meeting Wednesday evening.

Quinton’s, 319 W. Gorham St., was licensed in 2005 as a restaurant with a liquor license. However, observations that it has been operating primarily as a bar have raised concern in the past few months, culminating in a call for the May 7 hearing.

The establishment is required to serve more than 50 percent food while managed as a restaurant, but Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. filed a complaint in late 2006 disputing Quinton’s obedience of the license requisites.

“The members of the ALRC serve as the jury and make the decision on [Quinton’s] future,” said City Council President Mike Verveer, District 4. “That could be anything from a range of penalties like a slap on the wrist up to the ultimate death penalty, which is revocation of their license.”

According to Verveer, every liquor license permit in Wisconsin is subject to a 12-month term between July 1and June 30. Accordingly, if committee members decide to revoke the bar’s license, it will only prohibit the sale of liquor through the end of June.

“The May 7 proceeding is the status of the liquor license due June 30,” Verveer said. “But, the decision will specifically have a direct bearing on their liquor license after that date.”

Aside from the discussion of Quinton’s hearing, Majestic Theater, 115 King St., co-owner Scott Leslie lobbied for the committee to lift probationary restrictions on operation hours and ticket policies placed on the establishment’s license last year.

The Majestic received its first license in April 2007. Leslie said since that time, the theater has established a respectable reputation in the area and has had minor encounters with the police.

“I think the Majestic is absolutely a fabulous venue and a wonderful resource for the downtown. We just do not have enough live music venues in Madison,” Verveer said. “They have had no problems of any significance.”

Leslie requested the committee lift restrictions to allow the bar to close later on both weekday and weekend nights. He also asked for committee members to remove the restriction constraining non-ticketed events to the first floor only in order to utilize more square footage of the venue.

“We have been open now for seven months and have had zero problems,” Leslie said. “At this point we feel like we have done a pretty good job at keeping our word and staying true to our business motto, and those restrictions do not seem to be necessary at this point.”

Although Leslie said lifting restrictions would not pose a problem, others were skeptical.

“Many alcohol related problems occur not because of violations by licensed establishments but because there are too many intoxicated people in a confined space,” said Dr. Robert Brown, Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. member. “The need to have several hundred additional patrons spill out onto King Street at bar time along with many patrons from other bars is asking for trouble.”

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