Neighborhood bar loses court appeal, will remain closed

Ronnie Perkins, who lives next to a controversial Middletown bar, recently got his wish.

The Ohio Liquor Control Commission upheld a decision by the Division of Liquor Control Commission that rejected the liquor renewal application from Miller’s Lounge. The order may be appealed with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas within 21 days of April 16, according to the letter that was obtained by the Journal-News.

About 65 residents and business owners in the area signed a petition asking the city to close the bar at 124 Charles St. The petition was started by Perkins.

He hopes the bar remains closed, and he has noticed “a big difference” in the illegal activity outside the bar. He said it was common to see cars filled with drug dealers on North Avenue and women walking the streets.

Lt. Jim Cunningham, of the Middletown Division of Police, who attended the hearing, said he has noticed “a significant difference” in the number of police calls to the area. He said the drug dealers and prostitutes have left. He said Miller’s Lounge often was referred to as “a drug bar” on social media.

From March 12, 2011, to Aug. 28, 2013, police responded to Miller’s 517 times, resulting in 86 arrests — 10 for felony drugs and 18 for misdemeanors, according to police.

Miller’s Lounge, which is located in a residential neighborhood, frequently requires police assistance that costs taxpayers thousands of dollars and drains police department resources, Cunningham said. He said the police department attempted to work with the owners of Miller’s Lounge, but they refused to cooperate. He said the bar was scheduled to close in January, according to the ruling from the state, but police were called to the bar weeks later.

“That just shows their deceptions,” Cunningham said.

The bar’s owner, Annette Gregg, was unavailable for comment.

The Division of Liquor Control sent a certified letter dated Jan. 17 to the owner of Miller’s Lounge, stating that the 2013-14 renewal application was rejected. The permit was rejected because the bar interfered with “public decency, sobriety, peace, or good order,” the letter said. The applicant showed “disregard for the laws,” according to the letter from Superintendent Bruce D. Stevenson.

At the time, Gregg said she felt police were “extremely picking” on her bar. She said police officers performed routine checks at Miller’s five or six nights a week, while less frequently at other bars.