A week after the state Liquor Control Board refused to reinstate the liquor license of the Holley Hotel, more details have come to light regarding the board’s decision.
A letter sent to licensee Joseph Troutman Sr. in May said “a preliminary review of your history of operation and/or citation record may indicate abuse of the licensing privilege.” The letter indicated nine violations of the liquor code and numerous incidents, including “drugs, visibly intoxicated patrons, fights, assaults and disorderly operations” which required involvement by the Bradford City Police.
The Era requested copies of the violations and of the police incidents.
From April 25 to Dec. 2, 2015, there were 31 incidents at the Hotel Holley, alleged as follows: An assault in the bar, drunken man punches another; domestic incident involving intoxicated people, aggravated assault and drug paraphernalia found; indecent assault when an intoxicated man groped a woman; three disputes between neighbors; six fights in the parking lot; seven domestic disturbances; two drunken women harassing passersby; three public drunkenness reports; two assaults; drug possession; noise disturbance by an intoxicated resident; disorderly conduct; someone throwing a glass bottle out the window onto the street below; and an investigation for a retail theft that led to a bust for drug sales.
The citations from the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement date back to 2011. According to the reports, Troutman had been fined several times for a total of $11,050, and served two one-day license suspensions.
Enforcement allegations included selling alcoholic beverages on credit — which means keeping a running bar tab; selling or possessing untaxed cigarettes; selling cigarettes without the necessary permit; selling more than 192 fluid ounces in a single sale to one person for consumption off premises; selling to visibly intoxicated patrons; selling to minors; failing to abide by an agreement with the Liquor Control Board; failing to post signs as required by the Clean Indoor Air Act; and using a loudspeaker or device where music or entertainment could be heard beyond the property line.
A spokesperson for the Liquor Control Board told The Era earlier this week that the Hotel Holley had been operating under a license extension while the board considered Troutman’s request for renewal.
The board met Oct. 26 and unanimously voted against renewing the license for the Holley. Troutman was required to stop selling or serving alcohol by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 28.
While the bar at the establishment has been closed, the Holley Express restaurant remains open.
