The Crown Point City Council has decided that downtown liquor licenses should be held by restaurants, not their landlords.
Progressive Dining Group — North Court, LLC wanted to let a tenant use the license it had for 15 North Court Street. The company's attorney confirmed such an arrangement would be legal but told council members that his clients would agree to whatever they decided.
Council member Laura Sauerman felt the spirit of the downtown liquor licenses was to help small businesses, not owners of multiple properties. "Our deal is not to enrich local investors over and over and over and over again with cheap liquor licenses. This LLC with local investors that already has — what did you say, three of four of these? They operate property on the Square. I think they got their share," Sauerman said.
The downtown liquor licenses represent a big discount. They cost just $6,000, plus a $1,000 annual renewal, compared to traditional liquor licenses that typically run over $100,000.
The Crown Point City Council approved the liquor license but stipulated that it had to be held by the restaurant itself.
