LCB decisions expected soon

The state Liquor Control Board may decide as soon as this week whether to renew the liquor licences of two popular campus hangouts. In October, the LCB rejected the license renewal applications of Kelly and Cohen Restaurant and the Backstreet Cafe because of the establishments' histories of serving alcohol to minors, according to LCB spokesperson Donna Pinkham. Owners of both restaurants appealed the decision, and said yesterday that they are confident their licenses will be renewed. Kelly and Cohen owner Vinesh Vyas said he had "no problem" getting the stay in Harrisburg, because, he said, the LCB had not given him time to appeal before "snatching" his license. Backstreet owner Mark Wright also said he received the stay because he believed he was not given due process. Vyas said that although business was slow for a while, it has picked up after more people found out that Kelly and Cohen is allowed to serve alcohol. Vyas said that he will increase advertising next week. Vyas said that he is optimistic that the LCB will reverse its decision but he added that he is concerned that the LCB has taken so long to reach a verdict. Backstreet closed November 5 because owner Mark Wright said he needed "a little break" after his license was not renewed. The bar reopened last Thursday, but Wright said that business is down because a lot of people do not know that Backstreet is open and serving alcohol. Panos Bomis, owner of High Rise Bar and Restaurant, whose liquor license renewal was also rejected, said last week that he will not serve alcoholic beverages even if his license is renewed. Bomis said that he, too, will appeal the LCB's decision. But he said that if he is successful he will sell his license, which is worth between $25,000 and $30,000. "Nowadays the law enforcemet sees me as a criminal," Bomis said last week. "I can't take it. . . them looking at me like this."

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