Council receives and files Office Bar license transfer application amid lease dispute

The council on Oct. 20 voted to receive and file an application to transfer a Class B liquor-and-beer license for the Office Bar from its current address to 2215 East Second Street, after the applicant said lease negotiations for the proposed new location had broken down. The motion to receive and file the application carried by voice vote.

Councilor discussion and public comment centered on the applicant’s inability to secure a lease agreement for the proposed new location. Applicant Mr. Gatsky told the council he had 30 days to move his business and that negotiations with the property owner, Linda Hoffman, had failed; he said he was "at a loss" and worried about his livelihood. Councilors and staff advised that because there was no confirmed location, the transfer could be put on hold until the applicant completed lease negotiations. The council ultimately received and filed the application, allowing the applicant to preserve his application record while seeking resolution of site issues.

An employee of the Office Bar asked whether property owners planned redevelopment after planned demolition; city staff said the city had no redevelopment plan and demolition would not automatically transfer ownership of the property. City staff also reminded the applicant there are ordinance requirements related to hours and operational status tied to license renewal timelines.

The council took no final license-transfer action and did not approve a relocation; the action was procedural to keep the application on file while site and lease matters are resolved.