SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. — Those residents with roots in Shipshewana history, culture and values may begin circling May 23 on their calendars in black ink.
That’s because the state approved a permit on Wednesday for the Country Inn and Suites of Shipshewana to begin purchasing wine from a Goshen winery for resale to the public, according to Dr. Janelle Ashby of the LaGrange County Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
“Shipshewana is no longer dry,” Ashby announced to council members at Thursday’s regular council meeting.
Local resident Ken Mishler added that wine would be sold by the hotel, located on North Ind. 5, for both on-premise and off-premise consumption. Council members directed the town attorney to draft a letter of opposition and send it to the three members of the Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission
Mishler, Ashby and council members were upset about the proposition of the first liquor license in Shipshewana history. What made the news sting even more was the fact that the town had no input into the process and could do nothing to prevent the action.
An Indiana state law allows sale of the wine, as long as the hotel sells less than 500,000 gallons per year and meets an inspection, which Country Inn and Suites did on Wednesday.
“(The state) did not consider the desire of certain communities to stay dry (when the law was approved),” Mishler said.
Councilman Jerry Rice said, “This gets my blood pressure up‚” and added that he wanted the council to complain to the state.
Following the meeting, Ashby marked the precedent by saying, “Someone from
outside (Shipshewana) is imposing their values on us.”
The news comes on the heels of the council and citizens successfully deterring within the last month the Gas America service station, located on South Ind. 5, from completing the application process for a dealer liquor permit to sell alcohol in Shipshewana.
However, because that station would have sold more than 500,000 gallons of liquor per year, it would have had to apply to the county’s alcoholic beverage commission. Country Inn and Suites, on the other hand, did not.
Scott McDowell of Goshen has owns Wine Cellars Supply of 211 S. Main St., Goshen, which will supply Country Inn and Suites. Wine will be sold, as well as free samples handed out, from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays at the hotel, Ashby said.
Charles Daub owns the hotel and Alex Federow manages it, Ashby said Thursday.
Ashby said that the most effective strategy for council members, officials and Shipshewana residents to fight the sale of wine at the hotel would be to contact the three-member Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the state legislators for Shipshewana.
LaGrange-area resident Dale Sturtz sits on the state commission, and David Heath is chairman. They can both be reached, Ashby said, by calling (317) 232-2430.
State Rep. David Wolkins and state Sen. Robert Meeks represent Shipshewana in the state Legislature.
Several years ago, about 100 residents and council members also prevented another business in town from securing an alcohol permit. Council vice president Chris Yoder said last month that she was against granting a license to Gas America, because the Amish culture is opposed to consumption of alcohol and “it doesn’t fit our community.”
Local News
Wine sales approved for Shipshewana inn
- Local News
-
-
Local artists win at regionals
Five NorthWood High School students won at the 2012 Northwest Indiana & Lower Southwest Michigan Region of The Alliance for Young Writers & Artists.
-
Indiana lawmakers return to action after Super Bowl break
After a time-out to accommodate out-of-town Super Bowl visitors, the Indiana General Assembly is back in session to tackle legislation that had been bottlenecked by a contentious labor bill.
-
CITY COUNCIL: Housing Authority’s crisis packs the house
Mayor Allan Kauffman’s request to provide the beleaguered Goshen Housing Authority with an emergency infusion of $571,050 was passed by the City Council in an initial step toward approval, but there is much more discussion expected before a final vote.
-
CITY COUNCIL: First hurdle cleared for $571,050 in Goshen Housing Authority relief
Mayor Allan Kauffman’s request to provide the beleaguered Goshen Housing Authority with an emergency infusion of $571,050 was passed by City Council in an initial vote Tuesday, but there is much more discussion expected before a final vote.
-
UPDATE: Police release name of Fort Wayne man killed in crash
GOSHEN — One driver was killed and another hurt when a Ford SUV collided with a Chevrolet HHR at C.R.s 15 and 32 at 4:50 p.m. Tuesday.
-
Preschool mothers to host film about faith
Harvest Community Church will present “A Courageous Night: Dinner and A Movie” Feb. 11.
-
More work on new bike trail approved
An amendment to a contract with S & L Builders, Millersburg, was approved Monday by the Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety, to have S & L perform additional work on a bicycle/pedestrian path on West Washington Street near the Millrace Powerhouse project for $7,332.
-
SLIDESHOW: Pets of the Week
Featured pets ready for adoption at the Elkhart County Humane Society.
-
Indianapolis organizers considering asking for another Super Bowl
If praise and adulation could put points on the scoreboard, then Indianapolis had a blowout victory hosting its first Super Bowl.
-
Mother donates funds to the Crossing in memory of her son
Sherrie Lovely knows what it means to lose a troubled child, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to see that others are spared that awful experience.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
