MANSFIELD, Ohio — Safety concerns have prompted Mansfield City Council to pass a resolution that formally objects to the renewal of a liquor permit for Theresa Stephens of Corner HideOut Bar, located at 189 Wood St.
As stated in the resolution, “Said applicant has operated said liquor permit business in a manner that demonstrates a disregard for the laws, regulations or local ordinances of this state, including but not limited to substantiated reports at the permit location involving multiple shots fired, assaults, and fights in the parking lot and/or establishment.”
The resolution notes that this location has had the highest call volume in the third quarter of 2015 of any bar in the city with over 20 calls in the quarter, adding that such calls often require a multi-unit response from the Mansfield Police Department.
“The hospital’s right there,” Law Director John Spon pointed out. “Shots could go into the hospital.”
Not only that, but there’s also a Dairy Queen across the street, “where people bring their children all summer long,” Third Ward Councilman Jon Van Harlingen noted. “This is not a good situation for the neighborhood,” he said.
Van Harlingen said the establishment has operated as a bar for years. “It changed ownership, and within the matter of a year, as far as in the third ward, it’s become the absolute talk of the town,” he said.
Spon said he spoke with the property owner and the liquor license holder about his concerns and shared what they could do to improve their circumstances.
Within five days of their talk, however, there was another shooting incident, he said.
“They have not even gotten back to us (about the city’s concerns),” he said. “We’re very patient with most businesses that are involved in the selling of liquor, but we decided not in this situation. They’re not even demonstrating good faith.”
Theresa Stephens could not be reached for comment, but on the Corner HideOut Bar Facebook page it says, “Just want everybody to know that comes into the bar that I did not lose my liquor license that this city is trying to take my license due to all the fighting outside and in the bar and too many police calls let’s get the facts straight I had one shooting in my bar other bars have problems too not just mine most bars have fighting because of liquor I should not be downgraded but bar will be open for business I just wish people would have more respect for my bar and this would not have got too far so please when you come into the bar have more respect for my business please I am asking you guys and I hope to see you guys I am doing my best to make the business a lot better but I need the public’s help to help me have more respect for my business.”
Fourth Ward Councilman Butch Jefferson commented, “With bars, you’re normally going to have some fights and hopefully you don’t have shootings, but it’s pretty hard to control an irate person if they’re going to come out and shoot.
“I don’t condone it. You shouldn’t do anything illegal on purpose, but I’m not going to be so hard on that situation. The only way you could probably control it is to have police security there. Any other way you really can’t stop it.”
“Anyone seeking to obtain or renew a liquor license in our city should exercise appropriate responsibility in the management of their establishment,” At-Large Councilman Don Bryant said. “This is out of hand.”
Council approved the resolution at its meeting Tuesday night in a 7-0 vote.
Assistant Law Director Sharon Wesselman clarified, “It’s not that we have pulled their permit. What the resolution does is note our formal objection to the renewal of (Stephens’) permit, and it’s going to be up to the Division of Liquor Control whether or not the permit continues.”
“We have no control over that,” Spon said about the fate of Stephens’ permit.
“Generally speaking, (the Division of Liquor Control is) very reluctant to deny a permit unless events occur over a very lengthy period of time; however, due to the kinds of events that have occurred (at Corner HideOut Bar) in a relatively short period of time, and the unwillingness of the owner and manager to return our phone calls regarding the advice we had given them, that, in my perspective, represents a lack of good faith not worthy of any other consideration, except for our city to try to shut it down.”
