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Grapes of Mirth

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Started 1 year ago by catnfiddle
Latest reply from Walker

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catnfiddle
Giant Corncob District
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This message was on their Facebook account:

"My deepest apologies to everyone. Store's closed for now. A summer vacation of sorts. Liquor control sends mixed messages. Attorneys are on the case. I screwed up by not being as attentive to certain details as a normal human should. I'll keep you posted."

Here's hoping Dave and Company get things settled quickly! He was my first boss when I moved to Columbus and I learned so much from the months I was there. North Market will be a diminished place until Grapes reopens.

Posted 1 year ago #
tourist19
Merion Village
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catnfiddle wrote >>
This message was on their Facebook account:
"My deepest apologies to everyone. Store's closed for now. A summer vacation of sorts. Liquor control sends mixed messages. Attorneys are on the case. I screwed up by not being as attentive to certain details as a normal human should. I'll keep you posted."
Here's hoping Dave and Company get things settled quickly! He was my first boss when I moved to Columbus and I learned so much from the months I was there. North Market will be a diminished place until Grapes reopens.

Oh no! I hope they get it cleared up quickly.

Posted 1 year ago #
0Angle
Most likely, either a brewery or my kitchen.
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Yikes! My thoughts are with Dave et al...

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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The official word from the North Market:

Yes, earlier today agents from the Ohio Department of Public Safety came to the Market and seized the inventory of Grapes of Mirth.

According to owner Dave Bihn, there were some issues that led to the non-payment of some state taxes. That non-payment, in turn, created a situation where the business did not have a valid state liquor license.

While Dave felt that he was addressing the circumstances in a proper manner, there appeared to be some confusion between certain parties associated with the proper management procedures.

Unfortunately, we find ourselves in the situation where Grapes of Mirth will have to cease operation until they can work everything out. At this time Dave has a hearing scheduled for the first week in August. After that hearing we should know the prognosis for the situation.

Posted 1 year ago #
michaelcoyote
!seabus
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I saw the throng of liquor control agents in there today. It looked like a mess. I hope it's all cleared up soon.

Posted 1 year ago #
Manatee
The eternal present
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:( Nooooooo.

Thoughts and prayers with Dave. He's the best.

Mistakes happen, you know? He'll work through it and we can all get back to buying the good stuff from him ;)

Posted 1 year ago #
michaelcoyote
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I just peeped over on FB and he appears to be hopeful that he's got a good case for reinstatement. From the press release, it sounds like he was aware of the problem and was actively trying to correct it. I'd hope that would work in his favour.

Posted 1 year ago #
patient_zero
Falafel District
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michaelcoyote wrote >>
I just peeped over on FB and he appears to be hopeful that he's got a good case for reinstatement. From the press release, it sounds like he was aware of the problem and was actively trying to correct it. I'd hope that would work in his favour.

I sure hope he is reinstated! But in the meantime, what a mess!

He stocks the most unique items, and offers great advice, and always seems to have a story to tell. He is a unique fixture in the North Market and I'd hate to see him leave.

Posted 1 year ago #
MichaelC
Short North
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Terrible news. Hope this gets worked out; I love Grapes of Mirth.

Posted 1 year ago #
roy
Downtown
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I hate the way alcohol is regulated in Ohio especially wine.

Posted 1 year ago #
joev
Merion Village
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I hate that they shut the shop down, but I'm glad that they're getting the tax money he owes.

Posted 1 year ago #
Manatee
The eternal present
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joev wrote >>
I hate that they shut the shop down, but I'm glad that they're getting the tax money he owes.

Dave's not the kind of guy that would do that on purpose, though. It's probably just some red-tape-wrangling oversight.

Posted 1 year ago #
joev
Merion Village
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Manatee wrote >>

joev wrote >>
I hate that they shut the shop down, but I'm glad that they're getting the tax money he owes.

Dave's not the kind of guy that would do that on purpose, though. It's probably just some red-tape-wrangling oversight.

I'm not at all claiming he was being crooked; I'm just glad the taxes will be paid. Ohio needs every cent of the tax money it's owed to keep our schools and libraries running. Of course, if GOM were able to stay open, that would keep tax generation flowing, too, but without knowing the details, it's impossible to know whether that's an appropriate step to take.

Posted 1 year ago #
KSquared
Literally Hell
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roy wrote >>
I hate the way alcohol is regulated in Ohio especially wine.

+1

Posted 1 year ago #
rus

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michaelcoyote wrote >>
I saw the throng of liquor control agents in there today. It looked like a mess. I hope it's all cleared up soon.

That what that was?

I don't drink, so just noticed the commotion. Seemed like some of the product ended up on the floor? Smelled like it anyway.

Posted 1 year ago #
gramarye
In Exile
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KSquared wrote >>

roy wrote >>
I hate the way alcohol is regulated in Ohio especially wine.

+1

+2

However, I'll be the cynic here and say that this doesn't look good--one way or the other. Either Liquor Control is grossly overreacting, or the delinquency was more serious than we're being told. You'd think that they'd have some way to just do a probationary period or some similar sanction that didn't actually shut down the operation for potentially a month--or several. You'd also think that they'd use such a remedy if the delinquency looked to be a misunderstanding that the proprietor was actively working to clean up.

Obviously, I don't know the business owner, and I'm obviously more inclined to be sympathetic to the proprietor than to the bureaucrats. That said, a month or more of not being able to sell anything can be a death sentence; think of lizless' comments on the consequences of losing even a single busy day's worth of revenue due to the Red White & Boom parking fiasco around Dirty Frank's. Even if he wins this appeal and gets reinstated, it could be a moot point.

Posted 1 year ago #
catnfiddle
Giant Corncob District
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I have all confidence in the shop being able to maintain after they get all this settled and reopen. Their customer base is loyal because the product (and the knowledge behind it) is so GOOD.

Posted 1 year ago #
pinkgloomy

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GOM carries such awesome stuff! I hope they come back soon!

Posted 1 year ago #
lizless
Columbus/Hocking Hills
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I'm waaaayyyyy too terrified of ODLC to comment here.

My very best wishes, love and support to Dave and the GOM team.

Posted 1 year ago #
10sun
Columbus, OH
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joev wrote >>
I hate that they shut the shop down, but I'm glad that they're getting the tax money he owes.

I'm betting that tax money will just about cover the expense of having the liquor control agents essentially raid the North Market.

Posted 1 year ago #