Pub Remains Open, Pending License Suspension Appeal

St. James's Gate Publick House will be open next week as its owners await the results of an appeal of the town's decision to suspend its liquor license.

"We are open for business," said James Meade, Sr. at the pub Thursday afternoon. Meade's attorney, Robert C. Williams, confirmed the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) had stayed the suspension until it makes a decision later this month.

Last month, the town (acting as the local ABC), voted to suspend the pub's liquor license for five days on charges related to alleged bookkeeping offenses, which Williams said was a "technical violation." The suspension was to begin on July 15.

Meade appealed the decision to the state ABC and is seeking to pay a fine in lieu of suspension. (Charges of serving alcohol to a minor were dismissed after the township prosecutor said the state lacked sufficient evidence.)

"The appeal has been stayed," Williams told Patch. However, the matter is not resolved because the town did not consent to the pub's application to pay a fine, Williams said.

"Generally, a failure to have the receipts on the premises is not a serious offense which would end in the suspension of a license," said Williams.

Williams said there will be a phone conference with the ABC and the town on July 29 to "see what objections the town has." He said it is up to the discretion of the director of the ABC as to whether the pub has a five-day suspension or pays an equivalent fine.

"We are not closing July 15," Williams said.