Committee votes to revoke liquor license if K Chicken LLC fails to show required insurance within 48 hours

The Safety & Service Committee voted Aug. 4 to move forward with revocation proceedings against K Chicken LLC, d/b/a New Ishpon Corporation at 146 Gansett Avenue, after the establishment failed to demonstrate the required liquor liability insurance.

Solicitor or staff reading of state law: A committee solicitor described the state requirement cited in the agenda as "Rhode Island General Laws 3‑7‑29" and told the committee the statute is strict: a licensee who fails to maintain the required liquor liability insurance is subject to immediate revocation, but there is an administrative cure window. The solicitor recommended issuing a certified notice and allowing the licensee 48 hours from receipt of that notice to provide proof of insurance; if proof is not received in that period, revocation will take effect and the licensee would thereafter need to apply as a new applicant.

Applicant response and council concern: A representative identified himself in the hearing as John Owens. Council members noted the business serves a neighborhood clientele and urged leniency for a small, family‑run restaurant but agreed the city's hands are constrained by the statute.

Motion and vote: A motion to revoke the license absent proof of insurance was made and seconded. On the roll call provided in the transcript, one member recorded “No” while multiple members voted “Yes.” The committee directed staff to serve the revocation notice by certified mail and to involve the police department in service if appropriate; the 48‑hour cure period will run from actual receipt of the notice, not from the date of the vote.

Next steps: If the licensee submits proof of the required insurance within 48 hours after receiving notice, the revocation will be rescinded per the statute and the license can remain in effect; if not, the license will be revoked and the business would need to reapply as a new applicant.