Pictured, from left, are Jack Birch and Andrew Mock. The two attended a June 1 Kosciusko County Alcohol and Tobacco Commission meeting to request a new alcoholic beverage permit for Blank Slate, located in the former Cafe Liefde location in Syracuse. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Two local businesses were approved for alcoholic beverage permits during a Kosciusko County Alcohol and Tobacco Commission meeting on Thursday, June 1.

Travis McConnell, an owner of Courthouse Coffee on the Square, 108 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw, attended the meeting to request a new alcohol permit for the coffee shop.

McConnell said the business is looking to add coffee cocktails to its menu, citing Penny Drip in Fort Wayne as an example of what they plan to offer. Alcoholic coffees would be served via table service only and patrons would not have carryout options for those specific beverages.

Andrew Mock, an owner of Blank Slate LLC, 105 W. Main St., Syracuse, also attended the meeting to request a new permit. Jack Birch was also present as legal counsel for the business.

Mock said Blank Slate will be in the former Cafe Liefde location, with Blank Slate offering tapas and café-style foods and beverages to patrons.

A permit violation was also heard for G & M Package Store Inc., doing business as Beef’s Booze Barn, 100 N. Huntington St., Syracuse. Margaret Camp, the business’s owner, said an employee served alcohol to a minor in February. Camp and the employee, who no longer works at the store, were both fined.

The commission approved a permit renewal for Beef’s Booze Barn.

The following permits with no violations were also approved at the meeting:

• Family Express Corporation, doing business as Family Express #84, 1160 Executive Blvd., Warsaw. Beer and wine dealer – grocery store.
• Port Winona Lake LLC, doing business as Port Winona, 807 E. Canal St., Winona Lake. Beer and wine retailer – restaurant.
• Tap Root Brewhouse & Company LLC, 130 N. First St., Pierceton. Beer, wine and liquor – restaurant.

The local ATC’s next meeting will be held at the Kosciusko County Courthouse at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 6.