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WILKES-BARRE — A family-owned restaurant in Ashley known for a long list of craft beers and homemade food has filed an appeal over its liquor license suspension.
Kelsey’s was cited by the State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement with permitting an alcohol sale to an 18-year-old on Oct. 6, 2016. The restaurant on North Main Street was fined $1,400, according to the state Liquor Control Board, and an administrative law judge ordered its staff to complete Responsible Alcohol Management Program certification. The training covers issues such as how to detect fake IDs and handling visibly intoxicated patrons.
When Kelsey’s allegedly failed to complete alcohol management training between May 9 and Aug. 8, the restaurant was cited Sept. 15 with failure to comply with the order.
Administrative Law Judge Ember Jandebeur on Nov. 22 imposed a $250 fine and ordered a three-day suspension of Kelsey’s liquor license or until the staff completed training.
Kelsey’s filed the appeal in Luzerne County Court on Thursday when Jandebeur refused to reconsider the penalty or accept a compromise of a one-day license suspension. Kelsey’s owners say they submitted alcohol management certification documents to a liquor enforcement officer in July, but the documents were either not reviewed or supplied to Jandebeur.
Attorney John T. Zelinka, a partner with the Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald law firm in Wilkes-Barre, filed the appeal on behalf of Kelsey’s.
Zelinka said Friday that Kelsey’s suspension has been stayed, which allows the restaurant to continue to serve alcohol during the appeals process.