WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Back home several local bars and pubs have been stopped from selling alcohol.
They blame it on a big mix-up with the state and claim it is costing them big business.
We are still learning more as to why exactly the alcohol ban has been put into place.
But one owner says it could not have come at a worse time.
Empty alcohol shelves and signs were posted everywhere inside and outside Elmer Sudds in Wilkes-Barre.
The bar’s owner, John Yencha, says he hasn’t been able to sell alcohol at his bar all week.
He blames it on an issue with the Department of Revenue and stalled, unverified paperwork.
“In order to get our liquor license we have to have tax clearance and we did not have tax clearance so the lcb will not issue a license without having that authority,” said Yencha.
Scranton Police Detective suing for long-term damages Yencha says the alcohol ban leaves the bar empty. More than a thousand dollars of lost revenue and next to no takeout food orders.
“Sometimes we’re only open for three hours a night but we are jammed for those three hours and we were not last night at all. I think we did maybe five orders for food,” added Yencha.
And it doesn’t help that this comes during the start of the college and NFL football season.
“This is primetime. It sucks. We are supposed to be slammed right now,” stated Yencha.
Yencha says he sold 179 dozen wings last week in just 15 hours. This week? He sold 74 dozen wings. That’s less than half.
Elmer Sudds is not the only place dealing with the liquor license mix-up.
Diamond City Vault Bar and Grille in Wilkes-Barre told 28/22 News it’s dealing with it, too.
Even though they are open, they say they are not selling alcohol and have seen customers turn away from the restaurant.
Elsewhere, Plains Pub in Plains Township has been closed since Wednesday.
A Facebook post on Friday claims they would not be able to open this weekend due to a paperwork issue with the state which they’ve been trying to resolve all week. It’s been tough to swallow for businesses like Yencha’s.
“When they walk in and when they walk out it seems like you need alcohol. I thought we would still be busy with just the food but you need the booze,” noted Yencha.
I left messages for Plains Pub for comment but have not yet heard back.
28/22 News also reached out to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board about the alcohol ban and we still waiting for a response.
28/22 News will stay on top of this story and bring you the latest information on air and online.
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