Some beer and wine stores get liquor licenses back in Hart County
HARTWELL — Syeda Farzena Tansif will have her beer and wine license back as of Dec. 1 after four months of struggling with forms and a long discussion among Hart County Commissioners.
Tansif's attorney, Paul Rosenthal of Preston & Malcom in Monroe, said Tansif has been an owner of two area stores since 2003 - the Royal Food Marts at 3689 Royston Highway and at 8742 Royston Highway - one near Royston and one on the edge of Hartwell. He said when the active manager left this year to return to Texas, Tansif applied to the state for a new lottery license and to Hart County for a new beer and wine license, planning to buy out the active manager's share on receipt of the new licenses.
But Hart County Administrator Jon Caime said the county application was not complete without a copy of the new lottery license, which was issued on Sept. 20. Because of that, the county application was held - but with the receipt of the state license, the buyout took place.
The convoluted story means the two stores were selling beer and wine under an inactive license until a Hart County sheriff's investigator visited the businesses on Oct. 2 to inform the officials at the sites of the fact.
The sales stopped immediately, Rosenthal told commissioners at the Hart County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, when Caime brought the finally completed application to the board for approval.
“As soon as we realized there was a technical problem with the license, we stopped selling beer and wine at those locations,” Rosenthal said. “We have stopped since then. And we've worked to rectify the situation. We are here tonight not to attempt to hide anything but to lay it all out on the table.”
A heated discussion ensued, with County Commissioner Dan Reyen pointing out a concern as to alcohol-sale misuse.
"Alcohol is a very touchy subject in this county," Reyen said. "We've got to make sure the i's are dotted and the t's crossed."
Commissioner Joey Dorsey wanted the application denied, saying to approve it would be to reward the owners for selling alcohol without a license.
"I don't think the board should grant this license tonight, because I think that's an reward," he said. "I think there should be a punitive action. I think we should suspend action on this application for 60 days."
Commissioner R.C. Oglesby said the stores already have been without beer and wine revenue for almost 60 days due to the delays. He moved to approve the license. Reyen seconded his motion. The motion was approved, with Dorsey voting against.