LaPorte County ABC staff to forward routine renewals, reviews new transfers and inspection requirements

LaPorte County Alcoholic Beverage Commission staff on May 14 reviewed routine renewals and several transfer applications and told applicants what inspections and documentation are required before opening.

Michelle Trober, with the State Excise Police, said stores with no violations—among them Kroger (J966), FOE 2439 (Eagles Lung Road), Star Liquor (Lincoln Way), Zuk Farm Fington Post 434 (Kingsford Heights), Josimos (Franklin), Burks Lake Mart (400 N Michigan City), Westville Liquors and Dollar General Store 15498—would be forwarded to the Indiana ATC for renewal. Staff emphasized they were only forwarding items that showed no violations and that they could not take final votes at the May 14 meeting because there was no quorum.

Staff reviewed several transfer and opening requests, including Expo Empire (auction permit/new convenience store), Verk Liquors (transfer of location DL4632971) and a Hammer's location. Applicants were advised to post the required orange sign and submit affidavits; staff requested floor plans and said final inspections would be scheduled once shelving and other fixtures were in place. For some new or transferred locations applicants will operate temporarily under a manager's questionnaire (MQ) until corporate transfers are completed.

Trober also reminded licensees that an enforcement change effective July 1 requires clerks to carry physical identification and that tobacco sales must be carded for anyone 40 and under; she said similar carding standards apply to alcohol sales. Staff asked applicants to email required affidavits and confirmed that inspections would occur before final licensing actions.

Next steps: staff will forward automatic renewals with no violations to the ATC and schedule inspections for transfer applicants when premises are ready.