Tri-County Elks Lodge appealing denial of state liquor license

The Tri-County Elks Lodge is continuing its efforts to a secure a liquor license for the club on Main Street in Corbin after the initial application was denied.

Joe Caldwell, president of the club, said in denying the initial request in February, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board pointed to potential seating issues at the lodge that would violate the requirement in Corbin’s ordinance that establishments serving alcohol seat at least 100 people..

"If we were having a meeting and the restaurant was open, they didn’t think we would have the 100 seats available to the public," Caldwell said.

Caldwell explained the Elks hold two meeting per month and would not have the restaurant open at that time.

Caldwell said the decision on the Elks’ appeal decision should come within 60 days. Officials at the state board said that decision may then be appealed in Franklin Circuit Court.

The Elks have used the building in the 200 block of North Main Street as the lodge since 2007. Caldwell said efforts have been ongoing to remodel about half of the building to include a kitchen, dining room and bathrooms.

Though plans remain up in the air, Caldwell said the restaurant will likely be open three days a week.

"There is a club in Crossville, Tenn. that offered Sunday brunch," Caldwell said. "They had a big success with that. We are going down to speak with them to see if we want to do that here."

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.