Von Lee theatre's alcohol permit renewed

The Von Lee's alcohol permit was renewed Wednesday by the Alcoholic Beverage Board of Monroe County, as a matter of automatic renewal since no development has taken place within the historic theater's property. \nAccording to a Dec. 1, 2003, Indiana Daily Student story, the Von Lee Theatre has been closed in 2000. Artemis LCC purchased the property from Kerasotes movie theatres. \nIU Dean of Students and Alcoholic Beverage Board Member Richard McKaig said the automatic renewal was "a procedural type of vote."\n"The (Alcohol Beverage) Board meets every month to review a certain amount of license renewals and applications," he said. "Twenty to 40 licenses are usually acted upon. We are made aware of any violations within the last 12 months by business owners. State law numbers alcohol permits per state population."\nMcKaig said the board considers three major types of liquor licenses: a permit to sell beer and liquor, a three-way permit to sell beer/liquor/wine and a Sunday permit to allow alcohol sales on Sunday. He said businesses that violate state liquor laws are interviewed and reviewed by the board.\nThe board also approved the transfer of an alcohol license for a new TGI Friday's restaurant to be built next to Dick's Sporting Goods store at College Mall. 13 TGI Friday's dot the Indiana landscape.\nMcKaig said TGI Friday's liquor license transfer was approved because the soon-to-be manager testified to his experience in dealing with liquor laws in TGI Friday's restaurants. He said each board member considers each new licensee on an individual basis.\n"The real issue is whether a business is complying with the state and providing a business in the community that is a good business for the community," he said.\nThe Von Lee alcohol permit was first requested in Feb. 2004, but legal challenges and an administrative appeal process delayed state approval until Nov. 2004.\nMcKaig said the most difficult decision the board has been faced with recently dealt with the Cinemat video store and movie house. He said the decision to grant a beer and wine permit for a video store location required a several month discussion.