Dewey’s Jazz Lounge renewal continued after owner says landlord’s unpaid taxes left business covering $92,000

Dewey’s Jazz Lounge’s liquor-license renewal was continued until April 23, 2025, after the venue’s manager and counsel told the Springfield Licensing Commission that the restaurant-and-music venue has paid roughly $92,000 in property taxes and business-improvement-district fees because its landlord failed to keep other properties current.

Mark Esposito, counsel for Power Entertainment LLC, the licensee for Dewey’s at 232 Worthington Street, asked the commission to use discretion allowed under a local ordinance and renew the license despite outstanding taxes tied to the landlord. "We are asking that the board or the licensing authority exercise the discretion that it's given under the relevant city ordinance to allow the liquor license associated with Dewey's Jazz Lounge to be renewed," Esposito said, adding the payments dated back to Dec. 30, 2022 and included properties the tenant does not own.

Esposito said city records show the tenant or agents acting on its behalf paid a little over $92,000 for property taxes and BID fees for parcels including 222–226 and 232–236 Worthington, which he described as including residential and commercial units beyond Dewey’s footprint. "As a result of the landlord's failure to remain current on those obligations, Dewey's has been forced to bear the burden," Esposito said.

Kenneth Lumpkin, manager of record for Dewey’s, told commissioners the business has absorbed those charges over several years and now faces a financial shortfall. "This year we have not. It's been a down year economically. I just lost All American, and it is financially...we are kind of at our wits' end," Lumpkin said. He said Dewey’s employs about 25 people and that a nonrenewal would leave them without work.

Commissioners asked about litigation and efforts to hold the landlord accountable; counsel said there is ongoing litigation between the landlord and Power Entertainment and that the tax dispute is part of the court case. Esposito said a trial was scheduled for Feb. 13, 2025, and he estimated—"in good faith"—that a decision might be issued roughly 60 days after that date, though he warned the timeline could vary.

The commission’s legal adviser cited the city ordinance that governs tax certification and renewals (Section 2‑29) and advised commissioners that the ordinance gives the licensing authority discretion to deny, suspend or revoke a renewal when taxes are not certified by the tax collector but also allows the city council to waive a denial in certain circumstances. Members of the commission and city counsel debated whether public comment should be allowed at the hearing; the licensing office and the city attorney advised the body that renewal hearings under that ordinance are normally procedural and do not include a general public-comment period, though letters and emails may be submitted.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to continue the renewal to an April meeting and commissioners voted in favor. The commission also directed staff to work with the license office to issue a temporary/renewal document so Dewey’s can operate while the matter is pending; the office said it would prepare a temporary license and the licensee was advised to check with the licensing office in the morning to obtain the paperwork.

No formal findings of revocation or suspension were made at the Jan. 15 hearing; the item was continued for further review and to allow the courts and licensing office time to resolve certification and related issues.

The licensing ordinance cited by counsel states that a license "shall not be reissued or renewed until the license authority receives a certificate issued by the tax collector" showing the party is in good standing, and it also gives the local governing body (city council) authority to waive that requirement when appropriate.

Commissioners did not impose conditions beyond setting the continued-review date and directing staff to prepare a temporary renewal so the business could operate legally while the dispute continues in court.

Looking ahead, counsel and the licensee said they expect further paperwork and possible post-trial briefing in the litigation; the commission did not set any additional requirements beyond the April review and the temporary license procedure.