Council approves transfer of retail liquor license #6 to Solstice 12 Inc., conditions added

The City of Lander held a public hearing and voted to approve the transfer of retail liquor license number 6 from Wyoming Catholic College Food Service LLC (306 Main St) to Solstice 12 Inc., doing business as Baldwin's (388 Main St, Suite B). The clerk noted the state liquor commission had the required documents and cleared the transfer from its perspective, and the council took public comment before acting.

One resident urged the council to eliminate the license entirely, arguing that the city places too much emphasis on liquor license revenue and expressing concern about minors’ access to alcohol. "$10,000 per liquor license and $1,500 renewal fee...That's a lot of money," the resident said, urging the council to consider children’s welfare. Paul Kaczewski, who said he represents the buyer, described the college’s prior use of the license for catering and explained that the new operation will be a small, low‑key liquor establishment offering mocktails and limited food. "We're not gonna be a restaurant...primarily we're gonna be a very small, low key liquor establishment," Kaczewski said.

Council members discussed how the license would not be issued until the site met state food‑service and operational requirements and voted to amend approval so issuance is contingent on securing necessary permits and operations. The council approved the amended motion. The clerk clarified that the state Department of Agriculture or other state agencies issues some required food service permits and that the license would only be issued once the applicant demonstrated compliance and operations were established.