Elks Lodge approved to sell liquor, could have license by June 12

Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control officials said the Tri-County Elks Lodge 2826 has met the last two requirements to secure a liquor license for the club on Main Street in Corbin and could have it in hand as soon as June 12.

Randy Fawns, deputy ABC Commissioner, said the club has send written notification that a tenant reportedly sharing the building, Tri-County Mortgage, has vacated the premises.

"They have been gone about three months," said Don Barton, chairman of the Elks’ trustees committee.
Fawns said the Elks must wait 30 days after the intent to sell alcohol is published in the newspaper of record to receive the license. That notice was published May 12.

Barton said the Elks have been doing some renovations to the building, but have been waiting until they actually have the license before developing the menu, setting the restaurant hours and doing the other things necessary to make the restaurant a reality.

"We still have a whole lot of planning to do," Barton said. "We are not doing anything until we actually get the license."
Barton said no opening date has been set, but if the Elks get the license by June 12, they will be working to have the restaurant operating by September.

The Elks hit the first hurdle in the effort to secure a license in February, when the ABC board denied the request for the license, noting that when the Elks were holding a club meeting, the lodge would not meet the requirements under the Corbin alcohol ordinance that the facility seat at least 100 people.

Joe Caldwell, president of the club, said previously that the lodge would not be open to the public when the Elks were holding a meeting.

Under Corbin’s alcohol ordinance, alcoholic beverages may not be served on Sunday. Other tenants of the ordinance require that at least 70 percent of sales come from food and only permit alcohol sales by the drink.

Caldwell said proceeds from the restaurant will help fund the Elks’ charitable efforts. Those include donations to the senior citizens’ center, Knox/Whitley Animal Shelter and more than $3,500 in college scholarships for local students.