Angels and Wings wins back license

One embattled Corbin restaurant resumed selling alcohol Tuesday after being reissued a local liquor license, but the reprieve may only be temporary.
After more than a month of not being allowed to sell alcohol, Angels and Wings – a restaurant and sports bar located in Tri-County Square Shopping Center in north Corbin – got it’s city liquor license back and resumed alcohol sales Tuesday afternoon. The restaurant lost its local license in May after owners failed to provide renewal paperwork to local officials in time.
“Basically, it was our fault,” Angels and Wings owner Scott Johnson said Tuesday. “We had obtained a state license, but didn’t get the city license in on time so we had to go through the process of reapplying and the 30 day wait period and all that.”
The restaurant remained open despite its hiatus from alcohol sales. Johnson said that while operating with no liquor license did have an effect on business, it wasn’t all negative.
“I wouldn’t really say it was too difficult,” he said. “To be honest with you, it kind of helped us a little bit. We were able to get in a lot of new employees that I think will do a better job for us.”
Angels and Wings is currently embroiled in a battle with the Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) over alleged alcohol violations. Investigators with the ABC claim the restaurant sold alcohol to underage patrons, over-served alcohol to already intoxicated customers, failed to pay taxes owed to the State Revenue Cabinet, and failed to meet minimum food sales requirements of 70 percent of gross receipts. An informal hearing was held on the matter in May, but no date has yet been set for a formal hearing on the charges.
Corbin Alcohol Beverage Control Administrator Carson Mullins, who also serves as the city’s chief of police, said state ABC investigator Phillip Woodall, who brought the charges against Angels and Wings, is recovering from surgery and that a formal hearing date will be set when he is able to appear.
“They still have allegations of wrongdoing with a hearing to be set by the state,” Mullins said. “The state went ahead and reissued a license [to them]. I really don’t have much of a choice because you are innocent until proven guilty. It will be based upon a lot of factors whether they can continue in business or not.”
Angels and Wings could face fines, suspension of its state alcohol license or both if found guilty.
Johnson denies Woodall’s allegations and said the charges have been “settled,” but did not know of any formal settlement with the ABC. State ABC officials could not be reached for comment.
“We’ve already been through that and everything is good,” he said. “The only question is about us making sure we maintain our 70 percent [food sales], which it looks like we have and everything is find with the state.”
“To my knowledge, everything looks good to me. Everything is settled and looks good for everyone,” Johnson added. “We want all our friends to come back and have a good time.”